Andorra’s Lautaro Spatz defends Jesús Owono after Tenerife tragedy

A fatal on-field incident during a match between CD Tenerife and FC Andorra at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López left the Spanish football community in mourning, prompting an emotional defense from Andorra player Lautaro Spatz regarding teammate Jesús Owono. The tragic collision claimed the life of Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel during the fixture, which was contested on a Monday in the Canary Islands. Spatz was one of the players who rushed to assist De Miguel on the grass, actively helping medical staff transport the stricken forward on a stretcher before the situation proved fatal.

The Emotional Aftermath on the Pitch

In the wake of the tragedy, players from both clubs remained visibly shaken by the events that unfolded in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Spatz, an Argentine player for FC Andorra, took to Instagram to share his distress over the sudden loss. “There are moments when football ceases to make sense,” Spatz wrote in his open letter, noting how the incident demonstrated the fragility of life. Beyond expressing condolences to the family and friends of Jesús de Miguel and the wider Tenerife community, Spatz detailed the psychological toll the event took on the entire visiting squad.

Defending Goalkeeper Jesús Owono

A primary focus of Spatz’s public message was shielding Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono from any misplaced blame regarding the collision. Owono served as the involuntary protagonist in the play that ended in tragedy. Addressing his teammate’s state of mind, Spatz emphasized the character of the goalkeeper. “Those of us who know him know the kind of person he is, how much he is suffering right now, and that he would never intend to hurt anyone,” Spatz stated. The player highlighted that football matches contain purely accidental actions, but nobody can anticipate outcomes of such devastating magnitude.

Andorra Teammates Amplify Spatz Message on Social Media

The sentiment expressed by Spatz resonated throughout the Andorra locker room, with teammates such as Hugo Solozabal amplifying the message across social media platforms. Spatz concluded his statement by focusing exclusively on respect for the grieving family and honoring the memory of De Miguel, writing simply, “Rest in peace, Demi.”

Andorra's Lautaro Spatz defends Jesús Owono after Tenerife tragedy
Photo: as.com

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.

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