Spanish Police probe involuntary manslaughter after footballer dies in horror collision

Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter after a football player died following an on-field collision in a second-division match, with prosecutors also set to be involved in the proceedings.

Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel, 30, died after suffering a cardiac arrest from the collision during a match against Andorra on Monday. De Miguel was challenging for the ball near midfield during added time when he was struck in the chest by the onrushing Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono. Owono was shown a straight red card for the incident.

De Miguel was taken to a hospital, and the match, which was tied 2-2, was abandoned. Tenerife said in a statement to Spanish media late on Monday that De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest, but his pulse was restored in the ambulance. However, the club later said his condition had “worsened neurologically” and subsequently announced that he had died at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. The club, located on Spain’s Canary Islands, said it was “heartbroken.”

“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 heavy collision occurred when Owono rushed out of his area to midfield to challenge for a long ball that De Miguel was trying to reach. De Miguel initially curled on his knees, clutching his torso for a few seconds, before falling over onto his back. Owono, who was walking off the field after being shown the red card, turned around and joined other players rushing to check on De Miguel.

Andorra, which is owned by former Barcelona star Gerard Pique, offered its condolences along with 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.

Real Madrid players held a minute of silence during training, while fellow top-flight club Espanyol postponed the presentation of its new coach. English clubs Manchester United and Liverpool joined in offering 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. Life-threatening injuries from collisions in football are extremely rare. Last year in Spain, a 19-year-old goalkeeper, Raúl Ramírez of Colindres, died from head injuries suffered during a collision in a fifth-division match. In 2001, Ukrainian goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun died from head injuries received in a collision while playing for CSKA Moscow.