“THE HARDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE”: JESÚS OWONO FACES ONLINE HATE AFTER FATAL ON-FIELD COLLISION THAT CLAIMED FOOTBALLER JESÚS DE MIGUEL’S LIFE

SPAIN – A tragic football collision has left two families, two clubs and the wider football community grieving. FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono is facing intense public scrutiny after an on-field incident involving Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel ended in the 30-year-old striker’s dєatᩚh.

The incident happened on November 2, 2026, during a Spanish second-division match between FC Andorra and CD Tenerife.

In the closing moments of the game, Owono rushed out of his goal to challenge for a high ball. As he attempted to clear it, he collided heavily with De Miguel, striking the forward in the chest.

Owono was shown a straight red card following the challenge.

De Miguel immediately required medical attention on the pitch. He subsequently suffered cardiac arrest and was transported to hospital, where he was placed in intensive care.

Despite medical efforts, the Tenerife forward died on November 3, aged just 30.

OWONO BREAKS HIS SILENCE AFTER THE tᩚraɢedy

Following De Miguel’s dєatᩚh, Owono released his first public statement through FC Andorra on November 4.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper described the experience as the most difficult period of his life.

“These are the most difficult days of my life. I struggle to find the words, and I find it very hard to process what has happened.”

He continued by expressing his deep sorrow for the loss of De Miguel and remembering the striker’s family and loved ones.

“I feel immense pain over the loss of Jesús. I think of him, his family, and all the people who loved him.”

Owono also acknowledged that there would be questions to address and said he would face whatever came with the utmost respect.

His statement concluded with a simple but emotional farewell:

“Rest in peace, Jesús.”

A WAVE OF ONLINE 𝘢bu𝘴e FORCES HIM OFF SOCIAL MEDIA

While the football community mourned De Miguel, Owono became the target of an intense wave of online 𝘢bu𝘴e.

Some social media users labelled him a murderer, while others sent threatening and deeply offensive messages.

The 𝘢bu𝘴e reportedly became so overwhelming that Owono deactivated his Instagram account.

FC Andorra confirmed that the tᩚraɢedy had deeply affected people within the club and that psychological support was being offered to those who needed it.

His teammate Lautaro Spatz also publicly defended him, explaining that Owono was suffering enormously and that nobody who knew him believed he had intentionally wanted to hurt another player.

The incident has raised difficult questions about the emotional consequences of a sporting collision with fatal consequences, as well as the dangers of directing online harassment at individuals involved in an ongoing tᩚraɢedy.

12-MATCH SUSPENSION HANDED DOWN

On November 13, the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee handed Owono a 12-match suspension, the maximum penalty under the disciplinary provision applied to the incident.

The committee referred to the referee’s report, which described the challenge as a violent strike to an opponent’s chest using excessive force while the ball was in play.

The decision cited the nature of the challenge and its tragic consequences.

Meanwhile, FC Andorra manager Carles Manso confirmed that Owono had not yet decided whether he would return to professional football.

The club has pledged to give him the time and support he needs, allowing him to make his own decision about his future.

A FAMILY LEFT TO MOURN

For De Miguel’s family, the loss is immeasurable.

The Spanish forward had built a career through several clubs before joining Tenerife. He leaves behind his wife and young daughter.

Following his dєatᩚh, tributes poured in from teammates, supporters and clubs across Spanish football.

A fundraising campaign was also launched to support his family, attracting significant contributions from the football community.

Meanwhile, Spanish police opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the dєatᩚh. Authorities have been examining the incident under judicial supervision.

TWO LIVES FOREVER CHANGED BY ONE TRAGIC MOMENT

There is one important distinction in the story: Owono has not officially announced his retirement, despite viral social media posts claiming he would quit football after De Miguel’s funeral.

Fact-checking organizations EFE Verifica and Maldita.es have confirmed that those supposed retirement statements were fabricated.

His genuine public statement expressed grief and condolences but did not announce that he was leaving the sport.

For now, Owono remains away from the pitch, facing a 12-match suspension and an uncertain professional future.

And for the family of Jesús de Miguel, life has been changed forever.

A football match that should have been remembered for the game itself instead became a devastating reminder of how quickly sporting moments can turn into unimaginable tragedies.

One player lost his life. Another is left to face the emotional and professional consequences of an incident that neither family will ever forget. 💔

Sources: Reuters, November 13, 2026; BBC Sport; ABC News; EFE Verifica; Maldita.es.