Following the tragic death of Jesús de Miguel as a result of a violent foul, Jesús Owono has been subjected to a barrage of online abuse. Now, one of the goalkeeper’s team-mates has spoken out in defence of the 25-year-old.
The shock over the death of Jesus de Miguel continues to hang like a heavy cloud over Spanish football. Amidst the mourning for the FC Tenerife striker, who succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning, a player from FC Andorra has now spoken out in a social media statement.
” “There are moments when football loses all meaning. Moments that mark you for life and make you realise just how fragile life can be,” writes Lautaro Spatz, who witnessed the violent collision between de Miguel and goalkeeper Jesus Owono at close quarters on Monday. “None of us will ever forget what we have been through. A tragedy that leaves us completely shattered, speechless and with a sadness that is almost impossible to describe.”
“A tragedy we could never have imagined”
His thoughts at this difficult time are with the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased, to whom he extends his “sincere condolences and all my sympathy”. “Since yesterday, we – the entire FC Andorra squad – have been shaken, devastated and deeply affected by what has happened. It is a tragedy that we could never have imagined having to experience on a football pitch.”
In this context, the 25-year-old Argentine also takes the opportunity to defend his team-mate Owono, who has been facing a huge wave of hostility since Monday. This has led him to temporarily deactivate his social media accounts.
“I would like to say a few words to my team-mate, goalkeeper and friend, who has been deeply affected by the incident,” writes Spatz. “Anyone who knows him knows what sort of person he is, how much he is suffering at this time, and that he would never have intended to harm anyone. In football, there are unfortunate coincidences, but no one could have imagined that one of them could have such tragic consequences.”
CD Tenerife declares a day of mourning
De Miguel will be honoured on Saturday during a large public memorial service at the second-division club’s stadium. The funeral will take place beforehand in Navahermosa, in the province of Toledo, attended by the coaching staff and club management. Tenerife has also declared six days of club mourning and suspended all activities of its men’s, women’s and youth teams until the end of the week. “Rest in peace, Demi,” said Spatz, joining in the mourning.