Police probe death of footballer in Spain

Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel is carried off the field by medical personnel. Photo: AP

Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter following the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died in hospital on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest during a match.

De Miguel, 30, collapsed on the pitch after colliding with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a Spanish second-division fixture on Monday.

The incident occurred in stoppage time when Owono rushed out of his penalty area to clear the ball but struck the forward in the chest.

De Miguel received treatment on the pitch before being taken to hospital, while the match was abandoned and Owono was sent off.

Tenerife initially said the striker was “stable, despite the severity of his condition”, but later reported that his neurological condition had deteriorated and that he had died in the early hours of Tuesday.

According to the Independent, Spain’s National Police said on Tuesday that prosecutors would be involved in the investigation.

However, authorities in the Canary Islands described it as a routine procedure, explaining that Spanish law requires a judicial inquiry whenever a death is considered non-natural.

In a statement announcing his death, Tenerife said, “Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe this is true, we at CD Tenerife announce the tragic passing of Jesus de Miguel Alameda. There are no words of comfort. There is absolutely nothing that can ease this overwhelming sense of sadness.”

Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international, has deactivated his Instagram account since the incident.

FC Andorra also expressed condolences to De Miguel’s family, teammates and club, saying, “With broken hearts, we want to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, to all his teammates, friends, and to CD Tenerife. Rest in peace, Jesus.”

Several Spanish clubs, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, paid tribute to the late forward. English clubs Manchester United and Liverpool also offered their condolences on social media.

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The world players’ union, FIFPRO, also expressed sadness over his death in a post on social media.

“FIFPRO is deeply saddened by the passing of CD Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel. Our thoughts are with Jesus’ family, friends, teammates, everyone at CD Tenerife, and all those affected. Rest in peace, Jesus,” it said.

La Liga president Javier Tebas said he was shocked by the death and that the league would support Tenerife and De Miguel’s family.

He also said he would discuss the possibility of postponing the club’s next fixture and organising a joint tribute with the Segunda Division.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said, “We are heartbroken by the death of Jesus de Miguel Alameda. We have searched for words and found only silence. In that silence, our hearts and thoughts are with his family, his teammates, everyone at Tenerife, and all those who mourn this tragic loss.”

UEFA announced that matches across its competitions this week would be preceded by a moment of silence in his memory.

The Spanish Football Federation also announced the postponement of Tuesday’s Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina matches.

Last year in Spain, a 19-year-old goalkeeper died from head injuries sustained during a fifth-division match.

Colindres goalkeeper Raúl Ramírez suffered two cardiorespiratory arrests, one on the pitch and another in the ambulance while being transported to hospital.

He was declared brain dead two days later.

In 2001, Ukrainian goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun was playing for CSKA Moscow when he died from head injuries sustained in a collision during a match.