Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel died after suffering cardiac arrest following the collision, his club confirmed on Tuesday. De Miguel was challenging for the ball near midfield on Monday when he was struck in the chest by FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who had rushed out from his area in an attempt to clear the ball. Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter following the death of a footballer after an on-field collision with an opposing goalkeeper during a second-division match. Owono was shown a straight red card for the incident, which occurred during stoppage time.
He was 30.
Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter after a soccer player died following an on-field collision with the opposing team’s goalkeeper in a second-division match.
Spain’s National Police said an investigation had been launched. Spanish media reported that De Miguel is survived by his wife and daughter. Fans are expected to gather at the club’s stadium on Saturday to pay tribute to the player. “They will be feeling the same way that we are feeling today. Tenerife have requested the postponement of their league fixture against Granada on Saturday.
Under Spanish law, deaths resulting from non-natural causes, including accidents, are subject to judicial review. He added that teammates and club officials would attend a final farewell ceremony. The club has also declared six days of mourning and suspended activities involving its men’s, women’s and youth teams. The collision occurred when Owono rushed out of his penalty area to challenge for a long ball that De Miguel was attempting to reach. De Miguel initially dropped to his knees clutching his torso before collapsing onto his back. Owono, who had begun walking off the pitch after receiving the red card, turned around and joined other players as they rushed to assist De Miguel. Meanwhile, another footballer, Michel Owono, who plays for sixth-division side Can Vidalet, condemned a wave of racist abuse directed at him by people who mistakenly believed he was the goalkeeper involved in the incident. There were no reports suggesting he had any pre-existing health condition, and the precise medical cause of death has not yet been disclosed. “There is absolutely nothing that can alleviate this profound sense of sorrow. We stand with his devastated family, his loved ones and the entire Tenerife community. Andorra, owned by former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, also offered its condolences, as did numerous clubs, La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation. “We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, to all his colleagues and friends, and to CD Tenerife. Pique wrote on X: “I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesus. Players and clubs across world football also paid tribute. Real Madrid observed a minute’s silence during training, while Espanyol postponed the presentation of their new head coach. Kylian Mbappe posted: “So much sadness. There are no words. Lionel Messi wrote on Instagram: “There are no words. My condolences and lots of strength to all his family and friends. “No words. Sending strength to the family. May he rest in peace,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. English clubs Manchester United and Liverpool also shared messages of condolence. The Spanish Football Federation postponed all Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina matches scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Life-threatening injuries resulting from collisions in football are extremely rare. He suffered two cardiorespiratory arrests and was declared brain dead two days later.
De Miguel was taken to hospital following the incident, and the match, which was tied 2-2 at the time, was abandoned. The goalkeeper’s Instagram account, which had nearly 30,000 followers, was deactivated on Tuesday. A native of Madrid, De Miguel began his senior career with Leganes B in 2015 and went on to represent several lower-division clubs before joining Tenerife last year. Last year, 19-year-old goalkeeper Raul Ramirez died after suffering severe head injuries in a collision during a fifth-division match in Spain. In 2001, Ukrainian goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun died from head injuries sustained during a collision while playing for CSKA Moscow. Another tragic case occurred in 1987 when Malaga goalkeeper Jose Antonio Gallardo died more than three weeks after a collision with Celta Vigo forward Baltazar in a second-division match. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor Jose; Luis Sanchez-Jauregui told Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings were unlikely, noting that the collision occurred during the course of play. The Canary Islands-based club said it was “heartbroken” by the tragedy. Tenerife’s largest shareholder, Rayco Garcia, said De Miguel’s body would be transported to Navahermosa in the Toledo province at the request of his family. “We will all join forces and get through this together,” Garcia said. Club president Felipe Minambres said players and their families would likely require professional support to cope with the loss. “We will need professional help and the help of all our fans,” he said. “There are no words of comfort,” Tenerife said in a statement. May he rest in peace,” Andorra said in a statement. Cristiano Ronaldo described the incident as a “tragedy”. UEFA said a moment of silence would be observed before all its matches this week.
