FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono is enduring "the most difficult days of my life" following the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel, who suffered fatal injuries in a collision during a Spanish second division match. According to BBC Sport, De Miguel, 30, collapsed after the incident on Monday and subsequently died while receiving treatment. The football community has mourned the loss of the father-of-one, who had joined Tenerife on a three-year contract in summer 2025.
Owono's club released a statement on his behalf on Wednesday in which the 25-year-old goalkeeper expressed his anguish.
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.He continued:
I know there will be many issues to address, and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. But right now, honestly, I cannot think about anything other than Jesus and the pain we are all experiencing.
De Miguel, known to teammates as "Demi", left behind a daughter born the previous year and her mother, according to reports. The incident has prompted widespread tributes across European football, with a minute's silence being observed at all games in continental competition this week.
What happened during the match?
The collision occurred seven minutes into stoppage time when Tenerife and Andorra were drawing 2-2. Owono moved towards the centre circle to clear a long ball when his knee appeared to make contact with De Miguel. The striker fell motionless on the pitch as medical personnel provided immediate assistance. He was transported by ambulance from Tenerife's Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez to hospital, where his condition subsequently deteriorated. Owono was sent off and the match was abandoned.
How is Owono being supported?
FC Andorra centre-back Lautaro Spatz publicly defended his team-mate on Wednesday, stating that Owono "would never intentionally hurt anyone" and had been "deeply affected" by De Miguel's death. Writing on social media, Spatz said:
Those of us who know him know the kind of person he is, how much he is suffering at this moment and that he would never intentionally hurt anyone. In football, unfortunate incidents can happen but no-one could imagine that one of them might end with such tragic consequences.
Players from FC Andorra held a minute's silence before a voluntary training session on Wednesday, though Owono was absent. The goalkeeper, who had accumulated over 30,000 followers on Instagram by Tuesday morning, subsequently deactivated his account. The president of Equatorial Guinea's football federation, Venancio Tomas Micha, issued a statement offering "all our human and professional backing" to Owono, describing him as "the involuntary protagonist of this tragic incident" living through the situation "with deep sorrow and distress". Owono has made 47 international appearances for Equatorial Guinea.
What is the legal status of the investigation?
Spanish police opened a routine investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter following De Miguel's death. Under Spanish law, any death classified as non-natural automatically triggers a judicial inquiry. However, EFE reported that authorities clarified the opening of proceedings is standard procedure and does not itself imply criminal responsibility. Prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui stated that investigators would examine the referee's report and await the Sports Disciplinary Committee's assessment of whether the play was dangerous or reckless and whether Owono intended harm. Owono has not been arrested or formally accused of an offence, though 3News reported he could nevertheless face a sporting ban of four to 12 matches.
How is Tenerife marking De Miguel's death?
Tenerife announced six official days of mourning, with all club activities suspended during this period. The club's players, staff and officials will attend De Miguel's funeral, scheduled to take place in Navahermosa, Toledo. The club statement said:
Jesus de Miguel's family would like to thank everyone for their messages of support and, from the bottom of their hearts, ask that their privacy be respected at this terrible time. May he rest in peace.
On Tuesday, mourners laid flowers and lit candles beneath a black and white image of De Miguel at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez. Tenerife and Andorra's Spanish second division matches scheduled for the weekend—against Granada and Mallorca respectively—have been postponed. Additionally, Al Jazeera reported that the Spanish Football Federation postponed domestic matches through Friday, November 6, in tribute to De Miguel.
What happens next?
Tenerife's stadium is scheduled to open to supporters on Saturday, November 7, at 6 p.m. local time to allow fans to "bid a fitting farewell" to De Miguel. The prosecutor indicated that the next steps include reviewing the referee's report and awaiting the Sports Disciplinary Committee's decision on whether the challenge constituted dangerous or reckless play.
