BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible manslaughter after a soccer player died following an on-field collision with the opposing team’s goalkeeper during a second division match.
Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel died after suffered a cardiac arrest following the collision on the field, his club announced on Tuesday. He was 30 years old.
De Miguel was fighting for the ball near midfield on Monday when he was hit in the chest by Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, who was running in the opposite direction in an apparent attempt to clear. Owono received a straight red card for this incident which occurred in injury time.
The country’s national police announced Tuesday that an investigation had been opened. Under Spanish law, deaths due to unnatural causes, including accidents, are subject to judicial investigation.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Attorney General José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui told Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings were unlikely, stressing that the collision occurred during a match.
De Miguel was taken to hospital and the match, tied 2-2, was stopped after the incident.
The club located in the Spanish Canary Islands said they were “heartbroken”.
Tenerife’s main shareholder, Rayco García, told reporters that De Miguel’s body would be transported to Navahermosa, in Toledo province, at the request of his family. He said De Miguel’s teammates and club officials would be present for a “final farewell.”
On Saturday, fans will gather at the team’s stadium to honor the player, García said.
“We will all join forces and overcome this ordeal together,” García said.
Club president Felipe Miñambres said players and their families would likely need help coping with De Miguel’s death.
“We will need the help of professionals and the help of all our fans,” he said. “They will feel the same way we do today. »
The club requested the postponement of their league match in Granada on Saturday.
The heavy collision occurred when Owono rushed out of his area into midfield to contest a long ball that De Miguel was trying to reach.
De Miguel first got on his knees, clutching his torso for a few seconds, before falling onto his back, arms falling to his sides.
Owono was leaving the field after receiving a red card, but turned and joined the other players rushing to check on De Miguel.
The goalkeeper’s Instagram account, which had nearly 30,000 subscribers, was deactivated on Tuesday.
Another player with the same name as Owono, Michel Owono, who plays for Spanish sixth division club Can Vidalet, denounced a wave of racist insults against him from people thinking he was the Andorra goalkeeper.
De Miguel, originally from Madrid, began his senior career with Leganés B in 2015 and went on to play for several lower division clubs in Spain. He joined Tenerife last year.
There have been no reports in local media that De Miguel has a pre-existing health condition. The precise medical cause of death was not immediately released.
Spanish media said De Miguel was survived by his wife and their daughter.
“There are no words of comfort,” the club’s statement said. “There is absolutely nothing that can ease this deep sense of sadness. We stand with his devastated family, his loved ones and the entire Tenerife community.”
Andorra, which is owned by former Barcelona star Gerard Pique, also offered its condolences, alongside other clubs, the Spanish football federation and La Liga.
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jesús de Miguel, to all his colleagues and friends, as well as to CD Tenerife. May he rest in peace,” Andorra said in a statement.
Piqué said on X: “I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesús.”
Real Madrid players observed a minute’s silence for De Miguel during training, while their compatriot Espanyol postponed the presentation of his new coach.
Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé said on social media: “So sad. There are no words.”
Argentina great Lionel Messi said on Instagram: “There are no words. My condolences and lots of strength to all his family and friends.”
English clubs Manchester United and Liverpool joined them in expressing their condolences on social media.
The Spanish soccer federation postponed two Copa del Rey matches and one Copa de la Reina match scheduled for later Tuesday. UEFA said a minute’s silence would be observed at all its matches this week.
Life-threatening injuries resulting from football collisions are extremely rare.
Last year in Spain, a A 19-year-old guard dies following head injuries sustained in a collision during a Fifth Division match. Colindres goalkeeper Raúl Ramírez suffered two cardiorespiratory arrests, one on the field and then in the ambulance while being transported to a hospital. He was declared brain dead two days later.
In 2001, Ukrainian goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun died from head injuries sustained in a collision during a match while playing for CSKA Moscow.
Malaga goalkeeper José Antonio Gallardo died in January 1987, more than three weeks after a collision with Celta Vigo striker Baltazar during a second division match.
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Azzoni contributed from Madrid.
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