The death of Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel after a late collision in a second-division match has turned a footballing tragedy into both a period of mourning and a formal police matter. As tributes spread across Europe, attention has also focused on what the investigation can establish about the challenge involving Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono.

De Miguel, 30, was treated on the pitch after the collision, taken to hospital and later died following cardiac arrest. Tenerife described its loss as one for which there were “no words of comfort,” while asking that the player’s family be given privacy.¹ The club planned a public farewell, and supporters placed flowers and candles outside its stadium as players, fans and fellow professionals mourned.²

Police have opened proceedings into a possible involuntary manslaughter case, though authorities described that step as routine after a non-natural death. The chief prosecutor in Santa Cruz de Tenerife said criminal proceedings were “very unlikely,” reflecting the distinction in Spanish law between an automatic inquiry and a finding of criminal liability.² A sports lawyer separately said Supreme Court doctrine generally treats excesses during play as matters for sporting rather than criminal sanctions.³

Owono was sent off and has faced intense public reaction, including reports that he deactivated his Instagram account. But Andorra and people close to the goalkeeper have stressed that the collision was unintentional; one account described him as “crying and praying” afterward, while those close to him said: “He has no malice.”⁴ Reports said he intended to contact de Miguel’s family privately to apologise.

The two responses are not mutually exclusive: the investigation will examine the incident, while clubs and players have largely concentrated on supporting de Miguel’s relatives and acknowledging the impact on both teams. UEFA held moments of silence at European matches, and figures across football offered condolences to Tenerife and the striker’s family.²