Jesus Owono breaks silence after Jesus De Miguel's death in fatal collision

Andorran goalkeeper Jesus Owono spoke on Wednesday evening, two days after the death of Tenerife striker Jesus De Miguel, who died following a collision during a Spanish second-division match between Tenerife and Andorre.

On Monday, late in the match, Owono collided head-on with De Miguel, 30, who was on a counterattack. The striker suffered a cardio-respiratory arrest on the pitch before being resuscitated, then died at the hospital the following morning.

In a statement released by his club, the 25-year-old Equatorial Guinean goalkeeper expressed his distress. « These are the most difficult days of my life. I struggle to find the words and it is very difficult for me to comprehend everything that has happened. I feel immense pain following Jesus’s passing. I think of him, his family and all the people who loved him. »

On the question of potential legal proceedings, Owono indicated he wanted to face them with dignity, while first requesting time for mourning. « I know there will be many questions that need to be answered and I will face whatever comes with the greatest respect. But for now, honestly, I can think of nothing else but Jesus and the pain we are going through. Rest in peace, Jesus. »

On the legal side, the prosecutor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Luis Sanchez-Jauregui, told Spanish newspaper El Dia that it remains « unlikely that the case will result in criminal proceedings against the goalkeeper of the visiting team, as it is an incident recorded in the referee’s report ». The Spanish football league would therefore be competent to impose any sporting sanction, unless the public prosecutor decides to act on the basis of a complaint filed by the victim’s family.