Reported by 4 sources

The short version

  • FC Andorra teammates and the Equatoguinean Football Federation have publicly defended goalkeeper Jesús Owono, stating he is devastated by the death of Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel following a collision during their match.
  • Spanish authorities have opened a routine judicial investigation into the non-natural death, though prosecutors indicate criminal proceedings are unlikely given the accidental nature of the incident.
  • Owono has deactivated his social media accounts amid online harassment, while clubs and players across Europe observe minutes of silence to honor de Miguel.

The football world is grappling with profound grief and complex legal protocols following the death of Jesús de Miguel, a 30-year-old forward for CD Tenerife, who died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Spanish second-division match. The incident occurred on Monday when de Miguel collided with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono in the final minutes of a game that ended in a 2-2 draw. While the immediate focus has been on the loss of de Miguel, a father of one who joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025, significant attention has also turned to Owono, the 25-year-old Equatoguinean international involved in the challenge.

Owono raced from his goal toward the center circle to clear a long ball when his knee appeared to strike de Miguel. The Tenerife player lay motionless on the pitch at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez as medical staff administered emergency treatment before he was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. He passed away the following day. Owono was sent off for the challenge, and the match was subsequently abandoned. In the wake of the tragedy, Owono deactivated his Instagram account on Tuesday after facing severe online abuse, with some users labeling him a 'murderer' in comments sections.

News Journal

Despite the vitriol directed at him online, those close to Owono have rushed to defend his character and intent. Lautaro Spatz, an FC Andorra center-back and teammate of Owono, took to social media to express solidarity with the goalkeeper. Spatz described Owono as 'deeply affected' by the events, emphasizing that anyone who knows him understands he would never intentionally harm another person. Spatz noted that while unfortunate incidents are an inherent risk in football, no one could have imagined such a collision would result in fatal consequences.

The Equatoguinean Football Federation also issued a statement expressing full support for Owono, acknowledging the 'profound sorrow and grief' he is experiencing. Owono, who has made 47 appearances for his national team, has been described by club officials as suffering immensely from the tragedy. FC Andorra stated that they are providing psychological support to any member of the club who requires it in the aftermath of de Miguel’s death. The club’s stance underscores the distinction between a tragic accident and malicious intent.

Legal proceedings in Spain have moved forward according to standard protocol for non-natural deaths. Spanish national police opened a routine investigation into the incident, which is mandatory under Spanish law whenever a death is deemed non-natural. However, José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, the chief prosecutor in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, told the EFE news agency that criminal proceedings against Owono are 'very unlikely.' This assessment aligns with the consensus among football insiders that the collision was an accidental occurrence during normal play rather than a deliberate act of violence.

The tragedy has rippled through the broader football community, affecting players and clubs far beyond Tenerife and Andorra. Domestic Spanish league matches were called off to allow for mourning, but European competitions proceeded with solemn tributes. During Barcelona’s Champions League match against Aston Villa on Tuesday, a minute’s silence was held before kickoff. Barcelona forward Raphinha, who scored twice in the 3-0 victory, admitted he found it difficult to play given the circumstances.

Raphinha spoke candidly about the emotional weight of the day, noting that de Miguel was his age and a fellow professional athlete. 'It could have happened to anyone, it could have happened to me,' Raphinha said, explaining that the proximity in age and profession made the news particularly affecting for him. He declined to discuss football tactics or performance, instead focusing on sending strength to de Miguel’s family and acknowledging the shared vulnerability of players on the pitch.

Tenerife has instituted six official days of mourning, suspending all club activities during this period. The club announced that players, staff, and officials will attend de Miguel’s funeral in Navahermosa, Toledo. Additionally, Tenerife plans to open their home stadium on Saturday evening to allow supporters to pay their respects and 'bid a fitting farewell.' De Miguel’s family has requested privacy during this terrible time, thanking the public for messages of support.

Confusion regarding identity has also surfaced online, with Michel Owono, a goalkeeper for Can Vidalet, reporting that he received racist abuse after users mistakenly confused him with Jesús Owono. This highlights the chaotic and often cruel nature of social media reactions to high-profile tragedies. As investigations continue and mourning periods unfold, the football community remains divided between honoring the life of Jesús de Miguel and supporting Jesús Owono, who faces no legal culpability but bears the heavy emotional burden of an accidental tragedy.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the physical risks inherent in professional sports and the swift, often automated, nature of judicial responses to death. While the police investigation remains open to fulfill legal requirements, the overwhelming narrative from peers, officials, and prosecutors is one of accident rather than malice. The coming days will focus on funeral arrangements and the long-term psychological impact on those involved, particularly Owono, who has been cleared of intent but cannot escape the association with a fatal outcome.

Sources behind this briefing

Go to the original reporting

  • The Guardian US↗Goalkeeper Jesús Owono ‘deeply affected’ by De Miguel’s death, teammate says
  • BBC News↗De Miguel death: Goalkeeper Owono 'would never intentionally hurt anyone', team-mate says
  • Al Jazeera↗Who is goalkeeper Owono and will he be punished after De Miguel’s death?
  • Yahoo Sports↗Footballer collapses after sickening collision with goalkeeper