Jesus Owono, whose challenge led to the death of Spanish footballer Jesus de Miguel, has reportedly insisted there was ‘no intention to cause harm’ with the goalkeeper expected to avoid criminal sanctions over the tragic incident.
De Miguel, 30, of CD Tenerife, had been admitted to intensive care following a horrifying foul by Owono, which led to the Spanish second division match between his side and Andorra FC being abandoned deep into stoppage time.
His football club announced that De Miguel’s condition had worsened overnight, with the forward passing away this morning.
Goalkeeper Owono, 25, was reportedly subjected to chants of ‘murderer’ and is said to be ‘very upset’ by his involvement in the incident and amid a backlash to his challenge.
Owono’s flying knee had connected with De Miguel’s chest as the goalkeeper had attempted to clear the ball near the halfway line. The goalkeeper was sent off for his challenge, before the decision was soon taken by the referee to abandon the fixture.
De Miguel was seen to for over five minutes while his team-mates were visibly distressed, with some appearing to be in tears.
Tenerife, from Spain’s second tier of football, confirmed De Miguel’s death in a statement this morning
Goalkeeper Jesus Owono (pictured) has reportedly insisted their was ‘no intention to cause harm’ after his challenge led to the death of Tenerife footballer Jesus De Miguel
Journalist Iván Alvarez, speaking on COPE radio before De Miguel’s death was announced, reported that the goalkeeper intended to apologise to De Miguel’s family in person.
Alvarez added that Owono and Andorra FC had insisted there had been ‘no intention to cause harm’ and that the goalkeeper had closed his Instagram account after being subjected to ‘murderer’ chants and messages.
‘Some of the people who were at the stadium and some messages I exchanged with players told me it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever experienced on a football pitch.
‘Jesus Owono, you can imagine. He’s very upset because obviously no one would ever think of someone wanting to harm a fellow professional in that way,’ Alvarez said.
‘Andorra emphasises that there was no ill intent at any point, acknowledging that it was a mistimed outburst, an action that went terribly wrong and, I would say, excessive and violent, but they insist there was no intention to cause harm.
‘Owono, who doesn’t appreciate hearing an entire stadium like the Heliodoro chanting ‘murderer, murderer’, has even closed his Instagram account after all the criticism he’s received this afternoon.
‘His intention is to contact Jesús de Miguel’s family or someone close to him personally, when the time is right. He wants to do so privately first, before making any public statement.’
Footage taken from the stands had shown Owono clashing with supporters as he made his way off the pitch.
Reports in Spain have stated Owono is expected to avoid criminal sanctions over the horrifying on-pitch collision, with his challenge likely to only result in sporting penalties.
The AS newspaper reported that under disciplinary rules a challenge that an act of ‘violent conduct toward an opponent during a game that causes serious injury or harm is punishable by a suspension of four to 12 games.
Owono had reportedly intended to apologise directly De Miguel’s family for his challenge and has turned his social media private following abusive chants and messages he received
The striker was struck in the chest by Owono’s flying knee as he attempted to clear the ball near the halfway line
Tenerife stated: ‘We are with his devastated family, with his loved ones, with all the people of Tenerife who today mourn this cruel outcome’
The report stated that the nature of the challenge is likely to result in a suspension of between eight and 12 games.
Andorra goalkeeper Owono is a current Equatorial Guinea international and has represented his nation 44 times in his career, including playing at two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 25-year-old had grown up in the Basque Country after moving to San Sebastian at the age of eight.
Owono came through Real Sociedad’s youth academy and joined Alaves at 16.
He became the first Equatorial Guinean player, who was born in the country, to play in the Spanish top flight.
Owono played 11 LaLiga matches before joining Andorra on loan last season, with the goalkeeper signing permanently for the club this summer.
The goalkeeper and his team-mates had reportedly returned to Barcelona this morning.
De Miguel is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest while being transported to hospital and had to be revived inside the ambulance, according to Spanish media outlet Marca.
Rayco Garcia, Tenerife’s majority shareholder, and the club’s president Felipe Minambres spoke outside the hospital on Tuesday afternoon of the ‘unbearable pain’ of the loss of De Miguel.
The club confirmed plans for fans to pay tribute to De Miguel this Saturday at their stadium, while outlining that De Miguel’s team-mates will receive support following the tragedy.
‘We are facing an unprecedented situation. We are very hurt, Tenerife fans are in mourning. It is very difficult to accept. Tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, we will have the definitive ‘ok’ to transfer the player’s body, at the express wish of his family, to Navahermosa, in Toledo,’ Rayco said, as per Radio Marca Tenerife.
‘There we will pay our last farewell to Jesús de Miguel. On Saturday we summoned all the fans of the island, at 18:00, at the Heliodoro, to say our last goodbye together, and we will join forces to move forward. Life has hit us all, but we are a big family and we are going to move forward.’
Minambres added: “It is a very sad day for all the Blue and White sentiment and for world football. It is an unlived situation, that a player dies like this on a pitch. We are in moments of weakness, of sadness, of not believing what has happened.
‘We will go through the mourning and this will make us more united. We have to spend a week in mourning, we are going to need professional help, us, the players and their families. Also that of our followers.
‘We have to pay the tribute that ‘Demi’ deserves. We will always carry it in our hearts. It is a great misfortune that we have suffered.’
De Miguel was rushed to hospital following the incident after appearing motionless on the pitch
In a statement this morning, CD Tenerife had confirmed the striker’s death, saying: ‘Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe that this is true, from CD Tenerife we communicate the tragic death, this Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., of Jesús de Miguel Alameda.’
‘There are no words of comfort. There is absolutely nothing to mitigate this feeling full of sadness.
‘We are with his devastated family, with his loved ones, with all the people of Tenerife who today mourn this cruel outcome.
‘The family of Jesús de Miguel is grateful for each and every one of the expressions of support received, and also requests, from the bottom of its heart, maximum respect for his privacy, in these terrible moments.’
De Miguel had become a father just last year, and according to El Espanol, his wife and baby daughter were watching in the stands as the fatal incident occurred.
Tributes have been paid to De Miguel from across the football world following the tragic incident.
UEFA has confirmed that a minute of silence will be held at all their matches this week in tribute to De Miguel.
‘We are heartbroken by the death of Jesús de Miguel Alameda,’ president Aleksander Čeferin said.
‘We have searched for words and found only silence. In that silence, our hearts and thoughts are with his family, his teammates, everyone at CD Tenerife, and all those who mourn this tragic loss.’
CD Tenerife’s Jesus de Miguel was stretchered off the field after a collision with FC Andorra’s Jesus Owono
The Royal Spanish Football Federation have meanwhile cancelled all domestic matches today.
Tenerife’s opponents FC Andorra offered their condolences following news of De Miguel’s death, writing: ‘With broken hearts and devastated, we want to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesús de Miguel, to all his teammates, friends, and to CD Tenerife. Rest in peace.’
Football clubs across Spain, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, have led tributes following the news of the death.
‘Our thoughts and support are with his family, friends and loved ones during these difficult times,’ Barcelona said in a statement.
Real Madrid also expressed their condolences, stating: ‘Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences and affection to his family, his teammates, his club, and all his loved ones.’
The Spanish Footballers Association also released a statement, expressing their ‘deepest sorrow’ at the footballer’s death.
‘His loss leaves a huge void among those of us who shared his passion for football, his commitment to the footballers’ community, and his work defending the rights of our fellow professionals,’ the statement continued.
‘The Board of Directors, all the staff of AFE, and the footballers’ community wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones, as well as to his teammates at Club Deportivo Tenerife. In these moments of immense sadness, we send them all our love, support, and solidarity. You will always be part of our family.’
De Miguel joined Tenerife in 2025 and scored 11 goals in 30 appearances to help secure the team promotion from the Spanish third division as champions.
The forward had previously helped to secure Internacional de Madrid and CD Castellón promotions from the fourth and third divisions, respectively.
CD Castellon also released a statement on Tuesday morning in tribute to their former player, saying: ‘With broken hearts and inconsolable grief, Club Deportivo Castellón bids farewell to Jesús De Miguel.
‘Words fail to express the profound injustice of this loss. He wore this shirt with pride, celebrated goals with our fans at the SkyFi Castalia stadium, and was an integral part of a story that this fanbase will never forget.
‘We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, offering them our heartfelt support during this difficult time. We also join CD Tenerife and its fans in mourning, sharing this sorrow with them. You will always be one of us, Demi. Rest in peace.’
