FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono said he is enduring the hardest days of his life following the death of Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, who passed away Tuesday morning after a collision during a Spanish second division match on Monday. De Miguel, 30, suffered accidental chest trauma during the match, leading to a cardiac arrest on the pitch.
An on-Pitch Tragedy in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The incident occurred in stoppage time when Owono raced out of his penalty area to clear the ball, striking De Miguel. The Tenerife striker received immediate medical attention on the field before being transported to a hospital in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where he died on Tuesday morning. Tenerife had reported that medics were able to recover a pulse in the ambulance before he was admitted to intensive care, but the player never regained consciousness.
Florentino Pérez and Emilio Butragueño have paid their respects at the funeral home following the death of Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel. @TheAthleticFC pic.twitter.com/EHYtsRiNz4
— https://x.com/GuillermoRai_/status/2118316331380670910
Owono was sent off following the collision, and the match was subsequently abandoned.
Prosecutors Deem Criminal Proceedings Unlikely
Under Spanish law, any death deemed non-natural automatically triggers a judicial inquiry. Despite the nature of the inquiry, Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui told the news agency EFE that criminal proceedings against the goalkeeper are “very unlikely.” Authorities have indicated they will focus the investigation on the events preceding the death, including the specific attention the player received after medics sprinted onto the pitch.
Tenerife footballer Jesús de Miguel has been laid to rest in Spain, just THREE DAYS after his tragic death at the age of 30. His funeral took place in Navahermosa, attended by Tenerife's players, coaching staff, club officials and Spain manager Luis de la Fuente. Tenerife will… pic.twitter.com/k7NqBEoCtC
— https://x.com/TouchlineX/status/2118380172659368349
Owono Faces Online Abuse After Tragedy
In a statement released Wednesday by FC Andorra, Owono expressed the depth of his grief, stating he feels enormous pain
and is enduring the most difficult days of his life. He noted that he is struggling to process the events and intends to face any resulting issues with the utmost respect. The goalkeeper deactivated his Instagram account on Tuesday after being subjected to online abuse, including users calling him a “murderer.”
FC Andorra has confirmed they are offering psychological support to any club members who require it. Owono’s teammate, defender Lautaro Spatz, publicly defended him on social media, stating that those who know him understand he would never intentionally hurt anyone.
Mourners Gather for Funeral in Navahermosa
De Miguel’s funeral was held Thursday in his parents’ hometown of Navahermosa, Toledo, approximately 125km from Madrid. Tenerife teammates carried the coffin into the service at San Miguel Arcangel.
De Miguel’s agent, Manuel Hernandez, issued a statement on behalf of the family, thanking the public for their support, noting that the mark he left on so many people is something they will always carry with them. Tenerife has scheduled a final homage to the striker at the Heliodoro Rodriguez López stadium for Saturday evening.
🚨🗣️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪: The family of Jesús de Miguel have spoken publicly for the first time following his passing: “Jesús leaves a VOID THAT CAN NEVER BE FILLED, but also an immense legacy of memories for everyone who was fortunate enough to share his life with him. At this incredibly… pic.twitter.com/zjTaTLsLWX
— https://x.com/TouchlineX/status/2118323687505928621
Broader League Impact
The tragedy has prompted discussions regarding the schedule of the upcoming weekend. Senior officials are currently studying the possibility of suspending all 20 matches across La Liga and La Liga 2 scheduled between Friday, Nov. 6, and Monday, Nov. 9, as a mark of respect. While the governing bodies remain in discussion, the match between Granada and Tenerife, originally scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, has already been postponed. The impact of the loss has been felt across the sport; during a recent Champions League fixture, Barcelona winger Raphinha admitted it was quite difficult
to play after learning of the news, stating that he did not want to discuss football in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Earlier coverage: Tenerife Striker Jesús de Miguel Dies After On-Field Collision