Owono’s knee collided with the head and chest of De Miguel, 30, as he ran out to clear a long ball in the late stages of Tenerife’s Segunda Division clash with FC Andorra on Monday.
Some players were in tears as De Miguel lay motionless on the pitch before being taken to hospital. Owono, 25, was shown a straight red card before the referee abandoned the match in second-half stoppage time. Marca reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest on his way to hospital and was resuscitated by paramedics.
The centre-forward was admitted to intensive care, where his condition was described as “stable but serious” by Tenerife on Monday night.
But his health deteriorated and he was pronounced dead on Tuesday morning.
According to AS, Andorra players showed ‘great concern’ for Owono on their journey back from Tenerife. The Equatorial Guinea stopper was said to be ‘visibly shaken’ after breaking down in the dressing room. The report adds that those close to Owono describe him as ‘caring’ and a ‘very kind’ person with ‘no malice’.
Owono’s social media accounts have been deactivated since the incident. Journalist Ivan Alvarez told COPE radio that Owono intended to apologise to De Miguel’s family in person before news of his death emerged.
The keeper is expected to avoid criminal sanctions but could face a sporting punishment.
Court officials have confirmed a judge will open an investigation into De Miguel’s death.
A Canary Islands court source described the collision between the two footballers as “an accidental collision on the playing field.”
But he added: “Any death not resulting from natural causes, referred to as a ‘forensic death,’ whether due to an accident or other factors, automatically triggers a judicial investigation, which is the case here.”
It was not immediately clear this morning if Jesus’ relatives will try to launch their own criminal prosecution against the goalkeeper.
Owono is reportedly seeking to apologise to his family before making any kind of public statement.
Jesus‘ partner Maria and one-year-old daughter Carla were understood to be watching from the stands when the incident happened.
Owono spent four years in Real Sociedad’s academy before playing senior football for San Ignacio and Alaves. He spent last season on loan at Andorra and joined permanently in the summer.
Tenerife said they are “heartbroken” and added in their statement: “There is absolutely nothing that can lessen this overwhelming sadness.”
Andorra wrote: “With broken hearts, we want to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, to all his team-mates, friends, and to CD Tenerife.”
And former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, who owns Andorra, posted: “I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesus.” – Sun
