FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono said on Wednesday that he is experiencing the worst days of his life after being involved in the on-field collision that claimed the life of Tenerife's Jesús de Miguel during their Spanish second-division league game.
FC Andorra released the statement on Wednesday from Owono, who expressed support to De Miguel's family in his first public comments since the death.
De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest following the collision. He died in a hospital on Tuesday morning. He was 30.
"These are the most difficult days of my life. I struggle to find the words, and it is very hard for me to process anything that has happened," FC Andorra goalkeeper Owono said in a statement released by his club.
"I feel an immense amount of pain over the loss of Jesús," the goalkeeper said. "My thoughts are with him, his family, and everyone who loved him.
"I know there will be many issues to address. I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. Right now, honestly, I cannot think of anything other than Jesús and the pain we are all experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesús."
The Equatorial Guinea international, Owono, 25, received a wave of racist insults before his Instagram account was deactivated on Tuesday.
Many have weighed in with reaction to the tragedy, including Mina Bonino, wife of Real Madrid captain Fede Valverde.
Bonino appealed to her one million followers on Instagram not to vilify Owono. She wrote: "There is no comfort or words to describe this moment. Sadly, his death could not be prevented, but as a society, we can take responsibility for preventing another tragedy. The goalkeeper [Jesús Owono] will have to bear the burden of his mistake for the rest of his life.
FC Andorra echoed Bonino, saying the club requests "everyone show the utmost sensitivity and respect" for Owono and the club following they wave of abuse directed at Owono online this week.
The incident has transcended the teams involved, with players across Spain deeply affected by what happened.
Barcelona captain Raphinha revealed on Tuesday after scoring twice in his side's Champions League win over Aston Villa that he had been hit hard by the news.
"Maybe especially hard because he was my age," Raphinha said. "It could happen to any of us."
Psychological support is being offered to players on both teams, Andorra and Tenerife, who witnessed Monday's events.
De Miguel's death has rocked Spanish football, with this week's Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina ties all postponed to mark a period of mourning.
Tenerife's match against Granada and Andorra's game with Mallorca have both also been called off this weekend in LaLiga Hypermotion, the second tier of Spanish football.
CD Tenerife's majority shareholder, Rayco García, said that the whole team will travel to the mainland to attend De Miguel's funeral on Thursday, which will be held at Navahermosa, Toledo.
García, who revealed that De Miguel's wife and their 16-month-old baby were at the Heliodoro stadium on Monday, told El Larguero: "The important thing now is for the players to say goodbye to their teammate and come to terms with what has happened. It's a tragic situation.
"There are things that some of our players shouldn't have had to witness. A football pitch is a place where you're meant to have a good time, and what we saw was anything but that.
"We're still in shock. The entire squad is going to the funeral, without exception."
On Saturday, Tenerife will then hold a tribute in De Miguel's memory at the club's stadium.
As is protocol in these cases, Spanish police opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter on Tuesday.
Under Spanish law, deaths from non-natural causes, including accidents, are subject to judicial investigation.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui told Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings were unlikely, noting that the collision occurred during play.
Information from Adriana García, PA and The Associated Press was used in this report.