FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has spoken out about the tragic on-field collision that led to the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel, stating he is experiencing the worst days of his life. USA Today reported that the late-match incident occurred when Owono came off his line, resulting in his knee striking the 30-year-old forward in the chest area.
The Fatal Collision During La Liga 2 Action
The incident unfolded late in the match when Jesus de Miguel went down on the field following the impact with Owono. Medical staff treated the Tenerife forward on the pitch before transferring him to a hospital. Spanish media reports confirmed that de Miguel suffered a cardiac event and was pronounced dead the following morning.
| Player | Club | Position | Incident Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jesus Owono | FC Andorra | Goalkeeper | Involuntary collision during late-match play |
| Jesus de Miguel | Tenerife | Forward | Suffered fatal cardiac event following impact |
Owono Releases Statement Amid Intense Grief
In a statement released by the club, Owono expressed deep anguish over the loss, noting the immense difficulty of processing the event. “These have been the most difficult days of my life. It’s tough for me to understand the words, and I find it very difficult to take on any of what has happened,” Owono wrote. He added that he feels enormous pain for the loss of Jesus and is thinking of his family and everyone who loves him, while acknowledging that he will face the questions to deal with.
Prosecutor Says Criminal Proceedings Remain Very Unlikely
While an official investigation has been opened into the death, such procedures remain standard for fatalities occurring due to unnatural causes. José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, the chief prosecutor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, told EFE that it is very unlikely the case will result in criminal proceedings against Owono.
Support from Clubs and National Federations
Despite facing online abuse and closing his social media accounts, Owono has received strong backing from his club and his national team. The Equatorial Guinea federation issued a statement offering solidarity, with president Venancio Tomás Ndong writing that Owono is the involuntary protagonist of this fatal incident of play and is going through a situation deeply afflicted by grief.
