The death of a Spanish soccer player is now being investigated as possible involuntary manslaughter after he sustained a fatal injury during an on-field collision. The National Police confirmed on Tuesday that legal proceedings have been initiated, with prosecutors set to join the inquiry into the incident.
Jesús de Miguel, a 30-year-old forward for Tenerife, died after experiencing cardiac arrest following a heavy impact in a Spanish second-division match. The collision occurred on Monday during added time when De Miguel was challenging for a ball near the midfield. He was struck in the chest by Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, who was rushing out of his area to contest a long ball.
Following the impact, Owono was shown a straight red card. De Miguel initially remained on his knees, clutching his torso, before collapsing onto his back. The match, which was tied 2-2 at the time, was abandoned after the incident, and the player was transported to a hospital.
Tenerife, a club based in Spain's Canary Islands, issued a statement late Monday explaining that De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch. The club noted that his pulse was restored during the ambulance ride to the hospital. However, his condition later worsened neurologically, and the club announced his death at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
In a statement to Spanish media, the club expressed its heartbreak over the loss. The message, shared on social media, stated that there are no words of comfort and that nothing could alleviate the profound sense of sorrow. The club thanked the public for its support and requested respect for the family's privacy during these difficult times.
De Miguel, a native of Madrid, made his professional debut in 2015 with Leganés B. Over the years, he played for several lower-division clubs in Spain before joining Tenerife last year. His passing has prompted widespread tributes from across the soccer world.
Andorra, which is owned by former Barcelona star Gerard Pique, offered its condolences alongside other clubs, the Spanish soccer federation, and La Liga. The Andorra statement extended its deepest sympathies to De Miguel's family, colleagues, and friends, wishing him rest in peace.
The impact of the tragedy was felt across the league. Players from Real Madrid observed a minute of silence during training sessions. Espanyol, another topflight club, postponed the presentation of its new coach. The Spanish soccer federation also delayed two Copa del Rey matches and one Copa de la Reina match scheduled for later in the week.
International clubs also joined in mourning. English giants Manchester United and Liverpool posted messages of condolence on social media. While life-threatening injuries from collisions are rare in soccer, the sport has seen previous tragic losses, including the death of 19-year-old goalkeeper Raúl Ramírez in a fifth-division match last year.
In a more historical context, Ukrainian goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun died in 2001 from head injuries sustained in a collision while playing for CSKA Moscow. The current investigation aims to determine the circumstances surrounding De Miguel's fatal injury and the subsequent medical response.
