The death of CD Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel following a collision during a Spanish second-division match has left FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono deeply distressed, with the Equatorial Guinea international planning to contact the footballer’s family privately to offer his condolences and support.
Owono was involved in the between FC Andorra and Tenerife, when he collided with De Miguel while rushing off his line. The 30-year-old striker was seriously injured and later died in hospital.
According to Spanish radio station COPE’s programme El Partidazo de COPE, Owono is struggling to come to terms with the consequences of the collision. Sources close to FC Andorra stressed that the goalkeeper had no intention of causing harm and that the incident followed a mistimed attempt to intercept the ball.
The tragedy has also had a profound impact on the visiting team’s players. Some FC Andorra footballers reportedly described the incident as “the hardest thing they have ever experienced on a football pitch,” COPE reported.
Owono also faced shouts of “murderer!” from spectators at Tenerife’s Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium following the incident. He subsequently decided to close his Instagram account amid the backlash.
According to COPE, the goalkeeper wants to reach out to De Miguel’s family, or someone close to him, in private before making any public statement. He intends to convey his apologies and offer his support to those affected by the loss.
The match was abandoned after the collision, with the score tied at 2-2. Owono was sent off following the incident. De Miguel was taken to hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care. Tenerife had earlier said that his neurological condition had worsened before confirming his death.
The 30-year-old’s death prompted tributes from clubs and football bodies across Spain. The Spanish Football Federation also announced the postponement of matches in the Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina as a mark of respect.