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FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono is uncertain about his future in football following his involvement in the tragic death of Tenerife's Jesús de Miguel.
Owono received a red card after a collision with the forward during Andorra's La Liga 2 fixture on Nov. 2. The game was called off after De Miguel collapsed on the field and required emergency medical treatment before being rushed to hospital by ambulance. He passed away the next day.
Andorra will make their first appearance since De Miguel's passing this Saturday when they take on Almería in the Spanish second division. Owono will not feature, as the goalkeeper contemplates his future in the game.
Andorra head coach Carles Manso told journalists at the pre-match press conference that Owono, 25, is "completely free to make any decision" regarding his next move.
"It's a tragedy, and he [Owono] never intended for things to end this way. It's an extremely delicate situation, one we wouldn't wish upon anyone," Manso said. "As the person most directly involved, he faces a very difficult situation to navigate, and we must respect his process and his privacy.
"What we need to do is support him in every possible way and remain close to him.
"We will give him the space he needs so that he feels entirely free to make any decision, whether he wants to come back, when, or if he chooses not to return at all.
"When he feels the time is right and when he genuinely feels ready to make a decision like that [he will do so]."
'I Feel Enormous Pain'—Owono
🖤 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮́𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐥, 𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 pic.twitter.com/NvMstE1GUj
In the wake of De Miguel's death, Andorra released a statement on Owono's behalf which read: "These are the hardest days of my life.
"I struggle to find the right words, and it is incredibly difficult for me to come to terms with what has happened. I feel immense pain over the loss of Jesús. My thoughts are with him, his family, and all those who loved him.
"I know there will be many matters to address, and I will face whatever comes with the deepest respect. But right now, honestly, I cannot think of anything other than Jesús and the grief we are all going through.
"Rest in peace, Jesús."
This week, De Miguel's family issued a statement expressing gratitude to those who had contributed to a crowdfunding page established in the player's memory, which has now raised over $200,000.
"We would like to extend our sincere thanks for all the expressions of love and support we have received," the statement read. "We have been deeply touched to see so many of you stand behind this initiative."
Possible Criminal Case
Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international, is facing a ban of between four and 12 matches under the Spanish Football Federation's Disciplinary Code. In addition, Spanish police launched a routine investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter following De Miguel's death.
Under Spanish law, any death classified as non-natural automatically triggers an inquiry. If found guilty, involuntary manslaughter can carry a prison sentence of up to four years.
The incident took place in second-half stoppage time, with the score level at 2–2. Owono had charged off his line to intercept a long ball, striking the oncoming De Miguel in the chest with his knee near the center circle.
A Tenerife statement subsequently confirmed that De Miguel had suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of the impact from Owono's challenge.
De Miguel was admitted to the intensive care unit at the University Hospital of Nuestra Senora de Candelaria near the stadium, but died after his neurological condition "deteriorated" overnight.