In a heart-wrenching incident during a recent football match, Jesus Owono, goalkeeper for FC Andorra, has spoken out about the overwhelming pain following the tragic death of Jesus de Miguel, a Tenerife player, after a mid-game clash. The collision occurred last week in Spain’s second division when Owono’s knee inadvertently struck de Miguel’s chest, leading to the latter collapsing on the pitch.
De Miguel was urgently taken to a hospital, but sadly succumbed to injuries the following day due to a cardiac arrest, shocking the football community. Owono expressed his profound grief in a heartfelt statement, sharing, “These are the most difficult days of my life. I struggle to find words to express the pain for the loss of Jesus.” He conveyed his thoughts and condolences to de Miguel’s family and supporters, stating, “Right now, I cannot think of anything else except Jesus and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus.”
More coverage: read the latest report.
The incident has sparked intense scrutiny, with FC Andorra confirming that Owono faced backlash, prompting him to deactivate his social media accounts out of respect and grief. The club released a poignant appeal for sensitivity and respect during these trying moments. Meanwhile, Spanish police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding de Miguel’s death, with a potential involuntary manslaughter case being considered. This inquiry aims to determine whether proper medical procedures were followed, such as the use of a defibrillator during the critical moments after the collision.
Compounding the tragedy, Lautaro Spatz, a teammate of Owono, expressed solidarity and shared the collective devastation felt by the FC Andorra team, remarking, “There are moments when football loses its meaning. This is a tragedy we never imagined would occur on a football pitch.” He extended condolences to de Miguel’s family and lauded the profound loss to both the local and wider football community.
In the aftermath of this tragic incident, all football matches in Spain have been suspended until Friday, and CD Tenerife has halted all club activities for six days in honour of de Miguel. A tribute will be held in his honour at their home stadium, Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium on November 7, at 6 pm, drawing attention to the need for solidarity and support within the footballing world.
This grim event has underscored the fragility of life and the responsibilities sports professionals bear, both inside and outside of the stadium. It serves as a stark reminder of the essentiality of player safety and emergency preparedness in sports, highlighting that, ultimately, life and compassion must always take precedence over the games we cherish.