An FC Andorra player has come to the defence of goalkeeper Jesus Owono following the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel after a collision during a Spanish second-division fixture on Monday.

Andorra centre-back Lautaro Spatz said Owono was struggling to cope with the tragedy, stressing that the 25-year-old had no intention of causing harm.

De Miguel, 30, sustained a serious injury in a collision with Owono during the closing stages of the encounter between both clubs and later died.

The match was level at 2-2, seven minutes into added time, when Owono moved towards the centre circle to intercept a long ball but collided with De Miguel with his knee.

The Tenerife forward remained motionless as medical personnel administered emergency treatment before he was rushed to hospital by ambulance. Owono received a red card, while the match was abandoned.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Spatz expressed sympathy to De Miguel’s family, describing the incident as devastating for everyone involved.

He also defended his teammate, saying, “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 noted that although unexpected incidents occur in football, nobody could have anticipated such a tragic outcome.

The Equatorial Guinea Football Federation also rallied behind Owono, stating on Tuesday that the goalkeeper was experiencing “profound sorrow and grief”.

Owono, who has earned 47 caps for Equatorial Guinea, has since deactivated his Instagram account.

Meanwhile, Spanish police have commenced a routine investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter following the striker’s death.

Spanish law requires a judicial inquiry whenever a death is classified as non-natural.

De Miguel joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025 on a three-year deal and leaves behind a child.

Tributes have continued to pour in from across the football community, with European matches scheduled to observe a minute’s silence in his honour throughout the week.

Tenerife has also declared six official days of mourning and suspended all club activities during the period.

Players, officials and staff are expected to attend the striker’s funeral in Navahermosa, Toledo.

The club will also open the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López on Saturday evening for supporters to pay their final respects.

In a statement, Tenerife said De Miguel’s family was grateful for the messages of sympathy but requested privacy as they mourned their loss.

“May he rest in peace,” the statement added.