Spanish police open investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter following the death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel after an on-field collision.
Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter following the death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel, who suffered cardiac arrest after an on-field collision during a second-division match.
The National Police confirmed on Tuesday that proceedings had been opened, with prosecutors also expected to become involved.
De Miguel, 30, died after colliding with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during added time in Monday’s match, which was abandoned following the incident.
The Tenerife forward was challenging for the ball near midfield when Owono rushed out and struck him in the chest.
Owono was shown a straight red card for the incident.
De Miguel was taken to hospital after suffering cardiac arrest. The match, which was tied 2-2, was abandoned following the collision.
Tenerife said in a statement to Spanish media late on Monday that De Miguel had suffered cardiac arrest but that his pulse was restored in the ambulance on the way to hospital.
However, the club later reported that his condition had “worsened neurologically” before announcing his death at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
The club, based on Spain’s Canary Islands, said it was “heartbroken”.
De Miguel, who was born in Madrid, made his professional debut in 2015 with Leganés B and subsequently played for several lower-division clubs in Spain.
He joined Tenerife last year.
“There are no words of comfort,” the club statement read. “There is absolutely nothing that can alleviate this profound sense of sorrow. We stand with his devastated family, his loved ones, and the entire Tenerife community.”
The collision occurred when Owono rushed out of his area and towards midfield to challenge for a long ball that De Miguel was attempting to reach.
De Miguel initially curled onto his knees, clutching his torso for several seconds, before falling backwards onto the pitch with his arms dropping to his sides.
Owono was walking off the field after receiving his red card but turned around and joined the other players rushing to check on De Miguel.
Andorra, which is owned by former Barcelona star Gerard Pique, also expressed its condolences, alongside other clubs, the Spanish football federation and La Liga.
“We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jesús de Miguel, to all his colleagues and friends, and to CD Tenerife. May he rest in peace,” Andorra said in a statement.
Players at Real Madrid held a minute’s silence for De Miguel during training, while fellow top-flight club Espanyol postponed the presentation of its new coach.
English clubs Manchester United and Liverpool also offered their condolences on social media.
The Spanish football federation postponed two Copa del Rey matches and one Copa de la Reina match scheduled for later on Tuesday.
Fatal injuries from collisions in football are extremely rare.
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.
