FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono said on Wednesday that he is facing “the most difficult days” of his life after being involved in the on-field collision that claimed the life of Tenerife’s Jesús de Miguel during their Spanish second-division league game.
FC Andorra released the statement on Wednesday from Owono, who expressed support to De Miguel’s family.
De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest following the collision. He died in a hospital on Tuesday morning. He was 30.
“These are the most difficult days of my life. I struggle to find the words, and it is very hard for me to process anything that has happened,” FC Andorra goalkeeper Owono said in a statement released by his club.
“I feel an immense amount of pain over the loss of Jesús,” the goalkeeper said. “My thoughts are with him, his family, and everyone who loved him.
“I know there will be many issues to address. I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. Right now, honestly, I cannot think of anything other than Jesús and the pain we are all experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesús.”
The Equatorial Guinea international, Owono, 25, received a wave of racist insults before his Instagram account was deactivated on Tuesday.
Many have weighed in with reaction to the tragedy, including Mina Bonino, wife of Real Madrid captain Fede Valverde.
Bonino appealed to her one million followers on Instagram not to vilify Owono. She wrote: “There is no comfort or words to describe this moment. Sadly, his death could not be prevented, but as a society, we can take responsibility for preventing another tragedy. The goalkeeper [Jesús Owono] will have to bear the burden of his mistake for the rest of his life.
FC Andorra echoed Bonino, saying the club requests “the utmost sensitivity and respect” for Owono and the club.
CD Tenerife’s majority shareholder, Rayco García, said that the whole team will travel to the mainland to attend De Miguel’s funeral on Thursday, which will be held at Navahermosa, Toledo.
Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter. Under Spanish law, deaths from non-natural causes, including accidents, are subject to judicial investigation.
De Miguel was challenging for the ball near midfield on Monday when he was struck in the chest by FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, who came running from the opposite direction in an apparent attempt to make a clearance. Owono was shown a straight red card for the incident, which happened in added time.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui told Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings were unlikely, noting that the collision occurred during play.
De Miguel was taken to a hospital and the match, tied 2-2, was abandoned after the incident.
Information from Adriana García, PA and The Associated Press was used in this report.
