Andorra/">FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono has faced a wave of racist abuse on social media since Monday, after CD Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel died following a collision with him during a match. Owono, who was born in Equatorial Guinea, has closed his social media accounts in response to the messages, according to Plataforma Colectivas MIGRA in Tenerife.
The group expressed its condolences to de Miguel’s family, teammates and supporters, while denouncing the racist comments directed at Owono. It said the grief over de Miguel’s death was profound and legitimate, but should not be used to justify racial hatred. The platform added that Owono was being targeted for his origin and skin colour, rather than judged solely on the play in question.
Colectivas MIGRA called for a fair and rigorous judicial and sporting investigation, stressing that justice has nothing to do with a person’s origin or skin colour. Spain’s National Police opened an investigation on its own initiative on Tuesday, and the case is now before the courts. Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui said a criminal case over the death appeared unlikely, as the blow occurred during a play, and that the sports disciplinary committee’s decision would be awaited.
Under Article 102 of the Spanish Football Federation’s regulations, the competition committee could suspend Owono for up to 12 matches for his sending-off in Monday’s game against Tenerife at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium.
The group urged people to stop posting hateful comments and threats, and called for respect for de Miguel’s memory and the dignity of everyone involved. It said seeking justice does not mean threatening, dehumanising or harassing another player.
The abuse has also affected Michel Owono, a CF Can Vidalet player who was mistaken online for the Andorra goalkeeper. He issued a statement clarifying that he was not Jesús Owono and condemning the comments he had received. Michel Owono also offered condolences to de Miguel’s family and said football should bring people together rather than divide them.
Sources: elDiario.es.