FC Andorra centre-back Lautaro Spatz defended teammate Jesus Owono on social media following his collision with Tenerife forward Jesus De Miguel on Monday, which preceded the player’s death the next day.
Owono deactivated his Instagram account on Tuesday after receiving abuse online, with some users commenting ‘murderer’ on his posts. Andorra said that they were offering psychological support to anyone at the club who needed it following De Miguel’s death.
Spatz said Owono had been deeply affected by this week’s events.
“I also want to say a few words about my teammate, goalkeeper and friend, who is deeply affected by what has happened,” Spatz said on social media.
“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.”
“In football, unfortunate incidents can happen, but no one could imagine that one of them might end with such tragic consequences,” continued Spatz, also sending his condolences to De Miguel’s family and Tenerife.
The Equatoguinean Football Federation expressed support for Owono in a statement on Tuesday, adding that the 25-year-old was going through a situation of profound sorrow and grief.
Owono has made 47 international appearances for Equatorial Guinea.
Can Vidalet goalkeeper Michel Owono said on social media that he was receiving racist abuse, with people confusing him with the Andorra player.
Spanish national police have opened a routine investigation into De Miguel’s death.