The goalkeeper involved in the collision that lead to the shocking death of La Liga 2 player Jesus de Miguel says he is struggling to understand the situation as he goes through the worst days of his life.
Late in a match, FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono came off his line and collided with the 30-year-old Tenerife forward, with the goalkeeper's knee hitting de Miguel in the chest area. De Miguel went down on the field and was treated by medical staff before being taken to the hospital, suffering a cardiac event, according to Spanish media reports. He was pronounced dead the next morning.
The goalkeeper expressed condolences to De Miguel's family in the statement and said he will deal with whatever consequences may come from the tragic incident.
"These have been the most difficult days of my life. It's tough for me to understand the words, and I find it very difficult to take on any of what has happened," Owono wrote in a statement released by the club. "I feel an enormous pain for the loss of Jesus. I'm thinking of him, of his family and of everyone who loves him.
"I know that there will be a lot of questions to deal with. I will face what comes with all respect. But right now, sincerely, I am not able to think in anything other than Jesus and the pain we're going through. Rest in peace, Jesus."
📃 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 pic.twitter.com/dCEQJEcAKx
— FC Andorra (@fcandorra) November 4, 2026
Could Owono be charged for De Miguel's death?
While an investigation has been opened into the death, this is standard procedure for deaths that occur because of unnatural causes.
José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, the chief prosecutor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, told EFE that it is "very unlikely” the case will result in criminal proceedings against Owono.
Those investigations will take time, but Owono already has been the subject of online abuse, closing his social media accounts.
While there has been criticism, Owono has been supported by his club and his national team, with the Equatorial Guinea federation among those releasing statements offering support to De Miguel's loved ones but also for Owono, saying
"I see the need to provide all our solidarity and support in this moment to our player Jesus Lazaro Owono. We know that, as the involuntary protagonist of this fatal incident of play, he is going through a situation deeply afflicted by grief." federation president Venancio Tomás Ndong wrote in a letter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Goalkeeper feels 'enormous pain' after collision that led to Tenerife player's death
