Goalkeeper involved in Jesus de Miguel death reveals 'enormous pain'

Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono expressed his grief after Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel died from cardiac arrest following a collision during their Spanish second division match on Monday.

Jesus de Miguel, a 30-year-old Tenerife striker, died in hospital on Tuesday following a cardiac arrest triggered by an accidental collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during stoppage time of their Spanish second division match on Monday. Owono came out of his box to clear the ball and struck De Miguel in the chest with force, resulting in a red card.

Owono released a statement on Wednesday expressing his anguish: "These are the most difficult days of my life. I feel enormous pain at the loss of Jesus. I think of him, his family, and all the people who loved him." The goalkeeper, an Equatorial Guinea international, deleted his Instagram account following the incident. His Andorra teammate Lautaro Spatz defended him, saying: "Those of us who know him know the type of person he is, how much he is suffering in these moments and that he would never intend to hurt anyone."

Spanish police opened a routine investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, though criminal proceedings are unlikely under Spanish law, which automatically triggers a judicial inquiry for any non-natural death. Tenerife announced six days of mourning, and a memorial service will be held at their stadium on Saturday evening. A minute's silence was held before Champions League fixtures on Tuesday and will take place before all UEFA fixtures this week.