FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has expressed his willingness to face any consequences arising from the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel following their on-field collision during a Spanish second-division encounter, describing the tragedy as the most difficult period of his life.
The 25-year-old Equatorial Guinea international has been deeply affected by the incident, which occurred in the closing stages of Monday’s meeting between Tenerife and FC Andorra at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez. De Miguel, 30, later died after sustaining a serious injury in the collision, leaving both clubs and the wider football community mourning his loss.
In a statement released by FC Andorra on Wednesday on behalf of their goalkeeper, Owono acknowledged that there could be several matters to address following the incident but insisted that he was prepared to face whatever came his way.
“I know there will be many issues to address, and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect,” FC Andorra stated on behalf of the Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper while adding that his immediate thoughts remained with the deceased striker and his grieving family.
Owono Opens Up About Devastating Incident
Owono’s statement represents his first significant public response to the tragedy, which has attracted widespread attention and raised difficult questions about player safety and the unpredictable nature of football.
The goalkeeper admitted that he was struggling to process what had happened, describing the days following the incident as the most difficult of his life.
“These are the most difficult days of my life. I struggle to find the words, and it is very hard for me to come to terms with what has happened. I feel enormous pain over the loss of Jesus. I think of him, his family, and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace, Jesus.”
Jesus Owono, FC Andorra goalkeeper
The collision that led to the demise of the CD Tenerife striker occurred seven minutes into stoppage time, with the two sides locked at 2-2 in their league encounter. Owono had moved away from his goal towards the centre circle in an attempt to intercept and clear a long ball when he collided with De Miguel.
The goalkeeper’s knee appeared to make contact with the striker, who immediately collapsed and remained motionless on the pitch.
Medical personnel rushed to attend to the injured forward, providing emergency treatment before he was transported by ambulance from the stadium to a nearby hospital.
Despite the medical intervention, De Miguel died from his injuries, turning what had been a competitive league fixture into a devastating tragedy.
Owono was shown a red card following the incident, while the match was subsequently abandoned as players, officials and spectators struggled to comprehend the severity of the situation.
Police Investigation Begins as Football Community Mourns
Spanish police have opened a preliminary investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter following De Miguel’s death.
The investigation is a routine judicial procedure under Spanish law, which requires an inquiry whenever a death is classified as non-natural. It is intended to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and does not, in itself, establish criminal responsibility on the part of the goalkeeper.
Owono’s willingness to face any subsequent proceedings comes amid growing sympathy for both families affected by the tragedy.
His FC Andorra teammate, Lautaro Spatz, has publicly defended the goalkeeper, insisting that he would never deliberately hurt another player and has been profoundly affected by the forward’s death.
Spatz acknowledged that football sometimes produces unfortunate incidents but said nobody could have anticipated such a devastating outcome.
The FC Andorra players also observed a minute’s silence before undertaking a voluntary training session on Wednesday. Owono was absent from the session, while his social media account, which had attracted more than 30,000 followers, was deactivated following the incident.
The president of the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation, Venancio Tomas Micha, has also offered the goalkeeper the federation’s full support, describing him as someone experiencing profound sorrow and distress following the tragedy.
Owono has represented Equatorial Guinea on 47 occasions at international level, making the incident particularly difficult for the country’s football community.
Tenerife Announces Six Days of Mourning
Meanwhile, Tenerife have announced six official days of mourning in honour of De Miguel, suspending all club activities during the period.
The Spanish club has also confirmed that its players, technical staff and officials will attend the striker’s funeral in Navahermosa, Toledo.
Supporters will be given an opportunity to pay their final respects at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez, which will open on Saturday evening for those wishing to bid farewell to the forward.
Flowers and candles have already been placed outside the stadium beneath a black-and-white photograph of the deceased, as supporters continue to pay tribute to a player whose life was cut short in tragic circumstances.
De Miguel joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025 on a three-year contract and had become part of the club’s playing group. His death has left his family, including his child, teammates and supporters devastated.
Both Tenerife and FC Andorra have also had their respective weekend league fixtures postponed. Tenerife were scheduled to face Granada, while Andorra were due to take on Mallorca.
The tragedy has prompted tributes across European football, with UEFA confirming that a minute’s silence would be observed at its matches during the week in memory of the late striker.
For Owono, however, the immediate concern remains the loss of a fellow professional whose life ended following an unfortunate collision on the football pitch.
While the circumstances surrounding De Miguel’s death will be examined through the appropriate legal processes, the goalkeeper’s message has made clear the emotional weight of the tragedy.
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