Spanish football has been left devastated following the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, with the country’s National Police officially opening an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his fatal collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono.
The 30-year-old forward died on Tuesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest following a serious collision during Monday night’s Spanish second-division encounter between Tenerife and Andorra.
The incident has now entered the Spanish judicial system, while football authorities are preparing to examine the goalkeeper’s actions under the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary regulations.
HOW THE TRAGEDY HAPPENED
The incident occurred during stoppage time at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
With the match level at 2–2, De Miguel was chasing a long ball when Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono rushed out of his goal to challenge for possession.
During the collision, Owono struck the Tenerife striker in the chest with his raised leg while attempting to clear the ball.
The referee immediately dismissed the goalkeeper for using excessive force against an opponent while the ball was in dispute.
De Miguel received emergency treatment on the pitch before being transported to Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria.
Despite initial reports suggesting that his condition was stable, the striker suffered a cardiac arrest and died the following morning.
The match was abandoned in the 96th minute after both teams agreed that continuing under the circumstances was impossible.
NATIONAL POLICE OPEN INVESTIGATION
Spain’s National Police have opened an investigation through their Homicide Group in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The case is now under judicial supervision, with prosecutors seeking the relevant police reports and medical documentation.
Investigators will examine the circumstances of the collision and determine whether there is evidence of criminal responsibility beyond the sporting consequences of the incident.
However, the opening of an investigation should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt against Owono.
PROSECUTOR SAYS CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS ARE UNLIKELY
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Chief Prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui has explained that pursuing criminal proceedings would be difficult because the collision occurred during an active football match.
Spanish legal principles generally recognise that players participate in a contact sport where certain physical risks are inherent.
The prosecutor has emphasised the importance of examining the referee’s report and awaiting the Sports Disciplinary Committee’s findings.
Authorities must establish whether the challenge was dangerous or reckless and whether there was any intention to cause harm.
Criminal negligence under Article 142 of Spain’s Penal Code remains a legal consideration, but no criminal conviction or finding of responsibility has been established.
OWONO COULD FACE A 12-MATCH SUSPENSION
While criminal proceedings appear unlikely, the sporting disciplinary consequences could be significant.
Article 102 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code provides for a suspension of four to 12 matches where violent conduct towards an opponent during play causes serious harmful or injurious consequences.
The disciplinary committee will have to determine whether Owono’s challenge falls within this provision or whether another disciplinary classification is more appropriate.
The referee’s report, which describes the goalkeeper’s raised leg and excessive force, will be an important part of that assessment.
Any suspension will depend on the committee’s final ruling.
Leave feedback about this