Gerard Piqué is personally involved in the small circle of family, former teammates and club staff supporting Jesús Owono, according to a report by GiveMeSport. Former Andorra players reportedly drove to Owono’s house in the hours after the collision, and the club’s supporters have published an open letter of their own. The former Barcelona defender owns FC Andorra through his investment group Kosmos.
Owono deactivated his Instagram account on Tuesday after a wave of online abuse, and broke his silence only the following day, through a statement released by the club.
“These are the most difficult days of my life. I struggle to find the words, and I find it very hard to process what has happened. I know there will be many questions to address, and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. But right now, honestly, I cannot think about anything other than Jesús and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesús,” he wrote.
Prosecutor sees no criminal case
Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui has said opening a criminal case against Owono is “very unlikely” and would be “particularly difficult”, since injuries suffered in the course of play rarely cross the threshold of criminal liability, according to Spanish news agency EFE.
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The investigation is still formally open, but prosecutors are waiting for the Spanish federation’s disciplinary committee to finish its own review before any further decision.
Sporting sanction looms
Owono faces a probable ban under Article 102 of the federation’s disciplinary code, which covers violent conduct causing serious injury. Spanish daily AS has pointed to a range of eight to twelve matches as the most likely outcome, while journalist Guillem Balagué has suggested a shorter floor of four games.
The collision happened seven minutes into added time of Monday’s LaLiga 2 match at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López. Owono raced as far as the halfway line to reach a long ball and caught de Miguel in the chest with an attempted clearance. He was shown a straight red card.
De Miguel went into cardiac arrest in the ambulance and died on Tuesday morning aged 30, with the preliminary autopsy citing accidental chest trauma. Tenerife announced the death in a statement describing the club as “broken with pain”. He was buried on Thursday.
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The federation has not said when it will deliver its ruling.
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