Goalkeeper Owono Says Week Since Collision Was Hardest of His Life

Jesus Owono, the goalkeeper for Andorra, said the days following a collision with a Tenerife teammate were the most difficult period of his life. The statement, released on Wednesday, addressed the death of Jesus De Miguel, the forward who suffered a cardiac arrest after the two players made contact on the pitch.

The incident took place on Monday during the match between Andorra and Tenerife. After the collision, medical staff moved De Miguel to a hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care. The Spanish striker died on Tuesday morning.

In his written message, Owono admitted to struggling with the right words to explain what happened. He acknowledged that many questions would arise in the coming days and said he would face them with respect. However, he emphasized that his main focus remained on the loss and the shared sorrow of the situation. He closed the note by wishing De Miguel rest in peace.

Spanish national police have begun a standard review of the circumstances surrounding the death. This procedural step is routine in such cases to ensure all aspects of the incident are examined. In the immediate aftermath, Owono’s Instagram account was deactivated, and online comments directed at him ranged from sadness to frustration. One user specifically called the goalkeeper a murderer.

Defender Lautaro Spatz, a teammate at FC Andorra, posted on social media to support Owono. Spatz described the keeper as a friend who was deeply affected by the outcome. He argued that those who know Owono understand his character and that he would never intentionally hurt anyone. Spatz noted that while unfortunate incidents happen in football, few could have predicted one would end with such tragic results. He also extended condolences to De Miguel’s family and the Tenerife club.