FC Andorra centre-back Lautaro Spatz has issued a forceful defense of teammate goalkeeper Jesús Owono following the tragic death of CD Tenerife defender Jesús de Miguel. The incident occurred during Monday’s La Liga match, where a collision between the two players resulted in De Miguel suffering fatal injuries. Spatz, who shared a personal statement on social media, emphasized that Owono is “deeply affected” by the outcome, urging the public to recognize the goalkeeper’s character. “Those of us who know him know the kind of person he is, how much he is suffering at this moment, and that he would never intentionally hurt anyone,” Spatz wrote, adding that while unfortunate incidents are an inherent risk in football, no one could have predicted such catastrophic consequences.
FC Andorra defender defends goalkeeper amid online abuse and tragic La Liga collision
The emotional toll on the football community has been immediate and severe. Owono deactivated his Instagram account on Tuesday after facing a wave of online harassment, with malicious users labeling him a “murderer” in the comments of his posts. In response to the tragedy, FC Andorra announced it is providing psychological support to all club members. The gravity of the event also impacted Barcelona, with star winger Raphinha describing it as “difficult” to compete in the subsequent match, highlighting the widespread shock and grief permeating the league.
This incident marks a somber moment in Spanish football, where the line between high-intensity competition and fatal accident has been starkly drawn. De Miguel passed away the day after the collision, prompting an outpouring of condolences from Spatz to the player’s family and the Tenerife club. As the league mourns, the focus remains on supporting those directly involved, particularly Owono, who is navigating the profound psychological impact of an accident that no player could have foreseen. The episode serves as a grim reminder of the physical dangers inherent in professional sport, demanding a compassionate rather than punitive response from fans and media alike.
Source: The Guardian Sport
