Mina Bonino, the wife of Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, has called for an end to the online abuse directed at Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Ouno following the death of Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel.
De Miguel, 30, died after colliding with Ouno during the match between Tenerife and Andorra. The goalkeeper was sent off after the incident and has since faced a wave of accusations and hostility on social media.
Bonino said Ouno’s challenge was reckless and had led to a tragic outcome, but insisted he had not intended to kill his opponent.
Writing on Instagram Stories, the Argentine journalist said: “I think it is essential that we stop. What happened is a tragedy. I cannot even imagine the suffering of the player’s family, his daughter, his parents and his wife. There is no comfort or words that can ease their pain at this moment.”
She added: “Unfortunately, we were unable to prevent his death, but as a society we can take responsibility to avoid another tragedy.”
‘He is not a killer’
Bonino acknowledged the consequences Ouno would face after the collision, while arguing that abuse aimed at him could cause further harm.
“Ouno will suffer throughout his life because he made a mistake,” she wrote. “It was a reckless challenge that cost his team-mate his life and could perhaps destroy his own life as well, but he is not a killer. We are not in a position to judge someone who had no intention of killing.”
She continued: “He will serve the punishment imposed on him and will carry a social condemnation that could affect his life for ever, but we still have time to stop and prevent another death.”
The incident has caused widespread shock in Spanish football. De Miguel’s death followed the heavy collision during Tenerife’s meeting with Andorra, while Ouno’s dismissal came immediately after the incident.
Bonino also criticised the wider culture of collective condemnation on social media, saying online platforms had changed from places for communication into arenas where users acted as judges and delivered permanent verdicts on others.
“We live in a society full of hate,” she said. “Instead of social media being a window through which to get to know people, it has become the worst place in the world, where everyone has become a judge who condemns you for ever.”
She ended her message with a warning about the possible consequences of online bullying.
“Then we cry when someone takes their own life, but changing this reality is still in our hands,” Bonino said.
