FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been left deeply affected by the death of Jesus de Miguel, with his social media accounts closed after he faced serious accusations over the incident.
The Equatorial Guinea international collided with De Miguel on Monday evening. De Miguel has since died.
Owono was already being targeted by abuse as he left the pitch, according to Spanish newspaper AS, with people shouting: “Murderer! Murderer!”
AS reported that similar messages flooded the goalkeeper’s social media accounts in the hours that followed. Meta, the company that operates Instagram, has since closed his account.
People close to Owono said causing harm was “absolutely not his intention” and described the 25-year-old as a caring and friendly person with no ill intent.
The goalkeeper was said to be deeply affected during the journey home. AS wrote: “Concern was at its highest. These are very difficult hours for the 25-year-old goalkeeper from Equatorial Guinea. In the dressing room after the match, he was seen crying and praying.”
Owono’s accounts were also deleted following the serious accusations made against him.
FC Andorra, Owono’s club, has offered its support to De Miguel’s family, team-mates, friends and club CD Tenerife.
“It is with a broken heart that we offer our sincere condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, all his team-mates, friends and CD Tenerife. Rest in peace,” FC Andorra said.
A minute’s silence will be held in memory of De Miguel before every European match this week.