Spanish Police Open Mischief Investigation After Tenerife Forward Dies
Prosecutors are examining the fatal chest collision involving a 30-year-old midfielder in a Spanish second-division match.
By Marco Graham ·
Spanish authorities opened an involuntary manslaughter investigation on Tuesday following the death of Jesús de Miguel, a forward for CD Tenerife. The 30-year-old player died after suffering cardiac arrest during an on-field collision in a Spanish second-division match on Monday.
De Miguel was challenging for a ball near midfield during added time when he was struck in the chest by Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono. Owono rushed out of his defensive area to reach a long ball. De Miguel curled onto his knees, clutching his torso, before falling onto his back with his arms at his sides.
Tenerife officials stated that de Miguel’s pulse was restored in the ambulance en route to the hospital. The match, which was tied 2-2, was abandoned following the incident. The club later reported that his condition worsened neurologically and announced his death at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Owono received a straight red card for the collision.
The National Police said proceedings began Tuesday, with prosecutors also involved in the inquiry. Tenerife, based on Spain’s Canary Islands, described the club as heartbroken in a statement to Spanish media. The club asked the public to respect the family’s privacy during these difficult moments.
De Miguel, a native of Madrid, made his professional debut in 2015 with Leganés B. He played for several lower-division clubs before joining Tenerife last year. Andorra, the club owned by former Barcelona star Gerard Piqué, issued a statement expressing deep condolences to the family and teammates.
Other Spanish clubs and the national soccer federation joined in the mourning. Real Madrid players held a minute of silence during training, and Espanyol postponed the presentation of its new coach. The Spanish soccer federation delayed two Copa del Rey matches and one Copa de la Reina match scheduled for Tuesday.
Fatal collisions in soccer remain rare. Last year, 19-year-old goalkeeper Raúl Ramírez of Colindres died from head injuries sustained in a fifth-division match. In 2001, Ukrainian goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun died from head injuries received while playing for CSKA Moscow.
