Following the death of Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel, another footballer, Michael Owono, has reported receiving racist abuse and threats after being mistaken for the goalkeeper involved in the incident.
Michael, who plays for Spanish club CF Can Vidalet, said he had received messages containing hate, insults and threats because of his surname, which he shares with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono.
PUNCH Online had reported that De Miguel died after an on-pitch collision during a match between his club CD Tenerife and FC Andorra in the Segunda División.
The club announced De Miguel’s death in a statement on Tuesday.
In the viral video of the incident, De Miguel collided in the middle of the pitch with Equatorial Guinea international goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who had raced out of his goal.
The collision, which occurred in added time, resulted in urgent medical attention for the striker.
De Miguel, 30, had come on as a substitute for his fellow countryman, Enri Gallego, 40, in the 57th minute.
However, Michael, who also plays in Spain and shares a surname with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, has lamented the “large number of messages of hate, racism, insults and threats, which hurts me deeply.”
In a tweet via his X handle on Tuesday, Michael noted that he sympathised with the family of the deceased player, adding that empathy and humanity should be prioritised above people’s skin colour or place of origin.
He wrote, “First of all, I want to express my deepest condolences for the death of CD Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel, following the hard tackle he suffered in the match against FC Andorra. My condolences to his family, his loved ones, and everyone close to the player. In these difficult moments, all my support and affection are with them. Rest in peace, Jesús.
“Furthermore, I want to make it clear that I AM NOT JESÚS OWONO and that I have no connection with what happened. They are confusing me because of my surname, and as a result, I have received a large number of messages of hate, racism, insults and threats, which hurt me deeply and which I condemn in their entirety.
“We live in a society that is becoming sicker and sicker, where racism, hatred and intolerance seem to be gaining ground. We cannot allow anyone to be judged, insulted or threatened because of the colour of their skin or their origin. Respect, empathy and humanity should be above everything.”
Michael also stressed that any form of discrimination has no place in football and other sporting activities.
He expressed appreciation to everyone who has supported him in the course of the incident.
“Football must unite, not divide. And hatred, harassment and discrimination have no place anywhere, neither in sport nor in life.
“Thanks to everyone who has shown me their support, who has worried about me, and who has defended me in these very hard moments. Truly, it is appreciated from the heart. For a world with more respect, less hate and more humanity,” the statement concluded.
His club, CF Can Vidalet, also defended Michael’s defence, condemning the alleged abuse.
It said, “From CF Can Vidalet, we condemn any manifestation of racism, defamation, insult, or threat. We express all our support to our player, who is receiving unjustified attacks due to a case of mistaken identity.
“Respect is non-negotiable. We stand with you.”
PUNCH Online reports that Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter following De Miguel’s death.
Also, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin disclosed that a moment of silence will be held in memory of De Miguel at all UEFA matches this week, as football clubs pour in their condolence messages over the player’s death.
