“I’m Struggling Too”: Goalkeeper Whose Clash With Opposing Forward Led to His Death Issues First Official Statement, “May He Rest in Peace… I Am Thinking Only of His Family”

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A goalkeeper who struck an opposing forward while attempting to clear a high ball during a match, resulting in the player’s death, has broken his silence. After the opposing player lost his life and he himself became subject to police investigation on charges of negligent homicide, he released an official statement through his club.

Jesus Owono (25) stated via FC Andorra’s (Spain’s second division) official social media platform on the 5th (Korean time), “I am going through the hardest days of my life right now. I am at a loss for words, and it is incredibly difficult to accept everything that has happened.”

In his statement, Owono said, “I feel an indescribable, immense pain over the loss of Jesus de Miguel (30). I am thinking only of him, his family, and everyone who loved him.” He added, “There will be many issues to deal with going forward. Right now, I cannot think of anything other than de Miguel and the pain we are all enduring. May he rest in peace.”

It was a tragedy. On the 2nd, during stoppage time in the second half of the Spain second division match between Tenerife and Andorra at Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, Owono recklessly rushed out to midfield to deal with a high ball. He jumped with his knees bent and struck de Miguel, who was sprinting toward him, in the chest.

De Miguel, shocked by the impact, collapsed on the pitch and was carried off on a stretcher. According to local Spanish media, his wife and 16-month-old daughter were reportedly present at the stadium at the time. After suffering cardiac arrest inside an ambulance, he was urgently transferred to a hospital intensive care unit but ultimately passed away on the 4th at the young age of 30.

Owono received a red card on the scene and left the pitch. According to local reports, he is currently undergoing police investigation on charges of negligent homicide under the supervision of judicial authorities in accordance with mandatory procedures under Spanish criminal law. Owono, who had closed his social media accounts amid fierce criticism following the match, is reportedly also absent from the team’s autonomous training sessions.

Meanwhile, teammates and the football community in his home country are supporting Owono. Andorra defender Lautaro Spartz stated, “Anyone who knows him understands what kind of person he is, how much pain he is in right now, and that he would never intentionally harm someone.” He argued, “Unfortunate accidents can happen in football, but no one could have imagined it would lead to such a tragic outcome.” Benancio Thomas Micha, president of the Equatorial Guinea Football Association, expressed his condolences in an official letter, stating, “I send my condolences to Owono, who is suffering deep sorrow as an involuntary party to the tragic incident that occurred during the match.”

The entire Spanish football community has come to a halt amid immense grief. The Royal Spanish Football Federation postponed all Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina matches scheduled for midweek. The match between Tenerife and Granada, which was set to take place this coming weekend, as well as the second division match between Owono’s club Andorra and Mallorca, were also abruptly postponed. UEFA is also conducting a moment of silence before kickoff for all its organized competitions, including the Champions League (UCL).

The Tenerife club announced a six-day official period of mourning and decided to hold a memorial service with fans at their home stadium. The club’s board of directors and the entire first division squad are scheduled to attend the funeral to be held in Navahermosa, Toledo Province, the late player’s family’s hometown, to see off the deceased on his final journey after he tragically left the pitch at the age of 30.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original