Andorra defender backs goalkeeper Jesus Owono after Tenerife player De Miguel’s death

File Image: FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono received support from teammate Lautaro Spatz after facing online abuse. | Photo Credit: AP

FC Andorra defender Lautaro Spatz has come out in support of teammate Jesus Owono after the goalkeeper faced online abuse following a collision with Tenerife forward Jesus De Miguel, who died on Tuesday.

The incident occurred during Monday’s Spanish second-division match between Andorra and Tenerife, when Owono collided with De Miguel while attempting to clear the ball. The 30-year-old forward suffered a cardiac arrest and died in hospital the following morning.

Owono, who was sent off following the challenge, deactivated his Instagram account on Tuesday after receiving abusive messages, including comments calling him a murderer.

Spatz defended the 25-year-old goalkeeper on social media, saying his teammate was struggling to cope with the incident and would never deliberately harm another player.

ALSO READ | Spanish police open manslaughter investigation after Tenerife’s Jesús de Miguel dies following collision

“I also want to say a few words about my teammate, goalkeeper and friend, who is deeply affected by what has happened,” Spatz wrote.

“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.”

Spatz also expressed his condolences to De Miguel’s family and Tenerife, describing the incident as an unfortunate occurrence with devastating consequences.

“In football, unfortunate incidents can happen, but no one could imagine that one of them might end with such tragic consequences,” he added.

Andorra has announced that psychological assistance will be made available to anyone at the club requiring support in the aftermath of De Miguel’s death.

📃 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋

— FC Andorra (@fcandorra) November 3, 2026

The Equatoguinean Football Federation also issued a statement backing Owono, who has represented Equatorial Guinea on 47 occasions, acknowledging the emotional distress he was experiencing.

Meanwhile, Can Vidalet goalkeeper Michel Owono revealed that he had been subjected to racist abuse on social media after users mistakenly identified him as the Andorra player involved in the collision.

Spanish national police have opened a routine investigation ​into De Miguel’s death.