Equatorial Guinea Federation issues statement following tragic death of CD Tenerife striker

Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha, president of the Equatorial Guinean Football Federation, has released a statement following the tragic passing of CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel following a heavy collision with goalkeeper Jesus Owono, according to a report by GiveMeSport.​

De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest en route to the hospital following head and chest injuries. Expressing condolences and offering support to Owono, the federation statement read:

​“May he rest in peace,” Brazil international Raphinha said after Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the Champions League on Tuesday night. “In the end, this can happen to anyone. The truth is that it’s very tough… when we saw the news this morning, it was complicated.

I’m incredibly shocked and sad. In the end, you go to play a match, and the same thing could happen to you. From myself, from the club, we want to send a lot of strength to his family.”

​”He is a caring, very kind person. He has no malice,” those close to the goalkeeper told AS, per The Mirror.​

“To the attention of the Board of Directors and the entire CD Tenerife family: It is with deep shock and immense sorrow that I have received the news of the tragic death of your player Jesus de Miguel,” the translated statement posted to Instagram and relayed by Spanish outlets Cadena SER and El Chiringuito, reads.​

“On behalf of the Equatorial Guinean Football Federation and in my own name, I wish to express our most sincere and heartfelt condolences for this irreparable loss.​

“Football is a family that, in moments like this, unites in mourning. We want to convey our most supportive embrace to his family, his teammates, the coaching staff, and the entire blue-and-white fans, who are going through hours of indescribable sadness.​

“Likewise, I feel the need to extend all our solidarity and support at this time to our player Jesus Lazaro Owono. We know that, as an involuntary [person] of this fatal incident during the game, he is experiencing this situation with deep affliction and desolation.​

“From the Equatorial Guinean Football Federation, we offer him all our human and professional support, aware of the harshness of this event, which no one in our sport ever wishes to witness.

​“We share in your mourning and place ourselves entirely at your disposal. Please accept our most sincere respect and support during these difficult times.”