25-Year-Old Keeper Closes Instagram After Fans Call Him 'Murderer'

For the 25-year-old goalkeeper Jesús Owono, the game ended when the stadium lights dimmed, but the noise did not stop. On Monday, he deleted his public presence on Instagram, a move designed to shield him from the fury of thousands of fans who now label him a killer. The Guinean-Equatorial player has been in a state of shock since the collision that killed CD Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel.

The incident occurred during a match at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium. Owono made a run out from his goal area, nearly halfway across the pitch, to challenge for the ball. The impact with de Miguel was severe. Medical staff confirmed the forward's death on the field. In the minutes that followed, the Tenerife section of the stands turned its attention to the Andorra goalkeeper.

Chants of "murderer" echoed from the tribunes as the news of de Miguel's death spread. The criticism intensified the moment authorities announced the fatal outcome. Owono, who had been playing for FC Andorra, faced a wave of public condemnation. The local crowd did not wait for a formal review; they issued their verdict immediately, targeting the young keeper for the force of his exit from the goal area.

The pressure extended beyond the stadium walls. Social media platforms became a battleground where Owono faced what his circle described as a digital lynching. To cope, he closed his Instagram account. His profile on X has remained frozen for over two years, a habit he maintained to limit interaction with the outside world. Close friends and family stepped into the breach, describing him as a kind and gentle person devoid of malice.

FC Andorra issued an institutional statement expressing that the club was "heartbroken and devastated" by the loss. They sent their condolences to the entire Tenerife community. The statement acknowledged the magnitude of the tragedy without assigning blame, though it did not address the specific actions of Owono during the match.

Owono has reportedly told close confidants that he wishes to meet privately with the family of Jesús de Miguel. He wants to ask for their forgiveness in person for his actions on the pitch. As the Spanish football community mourns the loss of the forward, disciplinary committees are now reviewing the competition regulations. Officials are examining the gaps in the rules that govern such on-field incidents.

The death of de Miguel has prompted a formal investigation by the Spanish National Police. The case has drawn attention to how collisions are handled in professional football. For Owono, the immediate priority is the private meeting with the bereaved family, a step he hopes will bridge the gap between the two clubs in the weeks ahead.