Jesús Ovono is in a very poor mental state. The 25-year-old Andorra goalkeeper, who collided with Tenerife forward Jesús De Miguel, suffered a cardiac arrest and died in the hospital a day later, is reportedly considering retirement.
His team has arranged for him to receive psychological support, with specialists assisting in his recovery and helping him understand that the incident was an accident; however, the hate attacks directed not only at him but also at members of his family are not helping in this effort.
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“No matter how many times people tell him otherwise, he remains deeply shaken. He is devastated, especially when he thinks of his one-and-a-half-year-old son, Jesús de Miguel, and his widow. He simply doesn’t know how to cope with all of this,” explains Ana Christine Maye, general coordinator of the Equatorial Guinea Soccer Federation and a friend of his since he was 14.
“They call Jesús’s brother a ‘murderer.’ He’s facing off against people from his own team, and some parents have even gone so far as to confront him. It’s extremely difficult. His sister, who is studying at the University of Valencia, is also suffering from everything that’s happening. They don’t deserve this,” she says.
“Owoono believes firmly in the Bible. I wish he could understand that he doesn’t have to carry this guilt. No one ever steps onto the field thinking they’re going to kill another player,” says Maye.
The situation is also taking a toll on the goalkeeper’s parents and siblings. His mother traveled to Andorra to be by his side during this difficult time, while the rest of the family remains in the Basque Country. According to Maye, the presence of journalists outside the family’s home is adding to their distress. “They, too, are grieving, even if in a different way. The deceased’s family has lost a loved one, and that is a tremendous burden for them. They will have to live with what happened for the rest of their lives. But the life of Jesús’s family has also changed forever, and these people don’t deserve to be torn apart like this,” he adds.
*photo source: AP
