Owono Breaks Silence After De Miguel’s Death

FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono said Wednesday he is enduring the “hardest days of my life” following the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died after a collision during a Spanish second-division match.

De Miguel, 30, passed away on Tuesday from injuries sustained in the incident on Monday, which occurred when the Equatorial Guinea international raced into midfield to clear an aerial ball.

“These are the hardest days of my life. I struggle to find the words, and it is very difficult for me to process anything that has happened,” Owono said in a statement released by Andorra.

“I feel immense pain over the loss of Jesus.”

Spanish police sources told AFP an investigation into the incident has been opened under judicial supervision.

Andorra players observed a minute’s silence on Wednesday ahead of a voluntary training session, which the 25-year-old goalkeeper did not attend.

The Equatorial Guinea Football Federation expressed its support for Owono in a letter of condolence.

“We know that, as the involuntary protagonist of this tragic incident in the game, he is living through this situation with deep sorrow and distress,” federation president Venancio Tomas Micha wrote.

Andorra defender Lautaro Spatz also voiced his support on Instagram, noting that Owono is “deeply affected” and “would never intentionally hurt anyone.”

In response to the tragedy, the Spanish football federation postponed all Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina matches scheduled for this week.

Weekend league matches for both Tenerife and Andorra have also been called off.

Tenerife has announced a six-day mourning period and will hold a tribute at their stadium on Saturday.

Tuesday’s Champions League games were preceded by a minute of silence, and UEFA plans to do the same for the rest of the week’s games.