Spain: Jesús de Miguel dies, Jesus Owono receives support at Real Madrid

On Wednesday night, Real Madrid beat AEK Athens in the Champions League (2-3). The victory came thanks to a goal from Federico Valverde in stoppage time. Before the match, the player's wife sent a message of support to Equatorial Guinean goalkeeper Jesus Owono.

Well before the match, Federico Valverde's wife, Mina Bonino, spoke out following the tragic death of Jesús de Miguel. As the goalkeeper who made the aerial challenge that led to the Tenerife striker suffering cardiac arrest, Jesús Owono has faced fierce criticism.

"He is not a murderer"

This campaign against Jesus Owono must stop, according to Federico Valverde's partner.

“I think this needs to stop. What happened during the match yesterday is a tragedy. I can't even begin to imagine what the family of this young man is going through—his daughter, his parents, his wife. There is no comfort or words to express what we are feeling right now. Unfortunately, his death could not be prevented, but as a society, we can take responsibility to prevent another tragedy from happening. The goalkeeper (Jesús Owono, ed.) will carry the weight of his mistake for the rest of his life. A reckless challenge that cost his fellow player his life and could also ruin his own, but he is not a murderer. We should not judge someone who had no intention of killing. He will serve his punishment and bear a social burden that will mark him for life, but there is still time to put an end to all this and prevent another death. We live in a society full of hate. Social media, instead of being a window through which to get to know one another, has become the worst place in the world, where everyone sees themselves as a judge who condemns you forever. Then we grieve when someone takes their own life, but it is within our power to change this. I wish none of this had happened. I can't stop thinking about the family who lost a son, a brother, a father. This is all very sad, and I hope they find comfort, but this needs to stop right now,” she wrote in a story posted on her Instagram account.

Read also: Champions League: Guirassy injured, Dortmund battle past Real Betis (2-1)

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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