An FC Andorra teammate has publicly defended goalkeeper Jesús Owono following the death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel after the two players collided during a Spanish second-division match.
Andorra centre-back Lautaro Spatz said Owono was deeply affected by the tragedy, insisting that the 25-year-old goalkeeper would never deliberately hurt another person.
De Miguel, 30, died on Tuesday after suffering a serious injury in the collision during Monday’s match between Tenerife and Andorra.
The incident occurred in the closing moments of the game, which was level at 2-2. Owono had rushed out of his goal to challenge for a long ball when he collided with De Miguel, leaving the Tenerife forward motionless on the pitch.
Medical personnel attended to the striker before he was taken to hospital by ambulance. Owono received a red card following the challenge, while the match was abandoned.
Spatz Expresses Support for Owono
Reacting to the incident in a social media post on Wednesday, Spatz expressed condolences to De Miguel’s family, friends and the wider Tenerife community.
He also spoke about the emotional impact of the tragedy on his teammate, saying Owono was struggling with what had happened.
“Those of us who know him know the kind of person he is, how much he is suffering at this moment, and that he would never intentionally hurt anyone,” Spatz wrote.
The defender added that although unfortunate incidents could occur during football matches, nobody could have imagined that the collision would result in such a devastating loss.
The Equatorial Guinea Football Federation also expressed solidarity with Owono, describing him as being in a state of “profound sorrow and grief” following De Miguel’s death.
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Owono Faces Online Abuse
Following the incident, Owono deactivated his Instagram account after receiving hostile messages from some social media users, including comments accusing him of being a murderer.
FC Andorra said it was providing psychological support to members of the club affected by the tragedy.
Owono, who has made 47 international appearances for Equatorial Guinea, has received public backing from teammates and his country’s football federation.
Police Investigation Underway
Spanish police have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding De Miguel’s death.
The inquiry follows the fatal collision during the match, but the opening of judicial proceedings does not in itself establish criminal responsibility on the part of the goalkeeper.
Spanish legal authorities have explained that investigations are routinely initiated when a death is considered non-natural, including deaths resulting from accidents.
The local chief prosecutor has also indicated that criminal proceedings would be difficult to pursue because the incident occurred during a football match. The referee’s report and the relevant sporting disciplinary assessment are among the matters to be examined.
De Miguel joined Tenerife in 2025 on a three-year contract. His death has prompted tributes from clubs, players and supporters across the football community.
As the investigation continues, Tenerife and the wider football community are mourning the loss of the striker, while his family has appealed for privacy during this difficult period.