Police in the Canary Islands have opened a routine investigation into potential involuntary manslaughter following the death of Spanish footballer Jesus de Miguel. The Tenerife striker, 30, died in hospital on Tuesday (November 3) after suffering cardiac arrest following a serious collision during a match in the Spanish second division.
Collision during match
De Miguel was struck by a reckless challenge from Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who was shown a red card after rushing towards the centre circle and colliding with De Miguel. The incident resulted in the game being abandoned with the scores at 2-2 in stoppage time.
An investigation into De Miguel's death has now been opened by police in the Canary Islands. Under Spanish law, any death considered to have occurred unnaturally automatically triggers a judicial inquiry.
Reaction and tributes
Owono, 25, reportedly broke down after learning of De Miguel's death. The Equatorial Guinea international has also deleted his Instagram account, having allegedly been inundated with abusive messages, reports the Mirror.
His club, Andorra, paid tribute by saying: "With broken hearts, we want to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, to all his teammates, friends, and to CD Tenerife. Rest in peace."
Wider football response
UEFA have confirmed that all matches this week, such as in the men's Champions League, will be preceded by a moment's silence as a mark of respect. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement: "We are heartbroken by the death of Jesus de Miguel Alameda."
"We have searched for words and found only silence. In that silence, our hearts and thoughts are with his family, his team-mates, everyone at Tenerife, and all those who mourn this tragic loss."
Meanwhile, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) postponed Tuesday's Copa del Rey and Copa del Reina fixtures. An RFEF statement read: "We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones, as well as to Club Deportivo Tenerife and all its fans, whom we accompany in these moments of great sorrow."
Tenerife announced the devastating news via social media. "Racked with pain, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe that this is true, from CD Tenerife we communicate the tragic passing, this Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., of Jesus de Miguel Alameda," the club posted.
"There are no words of comfort; there is absolutely nothing that can alleviate this feeling overflowing with sadness. We stand alongside his devastated family, alongside his loved ones, alongside all of tinerfenismo (natives of Tenerife) that today weeps for this cruel outcome."
The family of Jesus de Miguel thanks each and every one of the expressions of support received, and likewise requests, from the heart, the utmost respect for their privacy in these terrible moments.
