Michel Owono, who currently plays for Cano Sport Academy, went through one of the worst days of his career on November 3. He shares a surname with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, who was involved in the serious incident that led to the death of Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel. Social media users mistook Michel Owono for the goalkeeper, and he received a flood of hateful and abusive messages.
Most of the messages were racist, and some contained violent threats. The tragedy has saddened local football and the wider European football community. In its wake, hundreds of users found Michel Owono's account, wrongly took him for the goalkeeper involved, and repeatedly called him a "murderer."
Among the abusive and threatening messages Michel Owono received were "damn n****r," "criminal," "go to jail," and "we're coming to get you." As the attacks mounted, FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono first restricted comments on his own account and then deactivated it.
Because of the large number of misidentifications and attacks, Michel Owono had to issue a public statement clarifying who he is.
He first offered his deepest condolences on the death of Jesús de Miguel and his sympathies to the player's family, friends, and loved ones.
He then stated clearly: "I am not Jesús Owono, and I have nothing to do with what happened."
He also wrote: "They have confused me with someone else, and as a result, I have received a large number of hateful, racist, insulting, and threatening messages, which deeply pains me. I completely condemn these actions."
Call for reflection
Michel Owono, who plays for Cano Sport Academy, used the online attack to urge people to reflect and to work together toward a society that is more respectful, with less hatred and more humanity.
"We live in an increasingly sick society, where racism, hatred, and intolerance seem to be gaining ground. Respect, empathy, and humanity should come above all else."
After thanking those who supported him, he repeated: "Football should unite, not divide."
He said that hatred, racism, violence, and aggressive language should have no place anywhere, whether in sport or in everyday life.
However, a few users continued to post offensive comments under his statement, directing their hatred even at the clarification itself. In the end, other social media users had to step in to explain the situation and distinguish between the two players.