Forward dies after on-field collision with goalkeeper in Spain, involuntary manslaughter probe opened

Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel has died after suffering cardiac arrest following an on-field collision with the opposing goalkeeper in a Spanish second-division match. He was 30. Spain's National Police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter over the incident.

The incident happened in added time of Monday's match against Andorra. De Miguel, challenging for a long ball near midfield, was struck in the chest by the onrushing Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono. Owono was shown a straight red card for the incident. The match was tied 2-2 at the time.

After the heavy collision, De Miguel initially curled on his knees clutching his torso for a few seconds, before falling onto his back with his arms at his sides. He was taken to hospital and the match was abandoned after the incident.

De Miguel died in hospital in Santa Cruz on Tuesday morning. His club Tenerife said he died after suffering cardiac arrest from the on-field collision. The club, based in Spain's Canary Islands, said it was 'heartbroken.'

Spain's National Police said on Tuesday that an investigation had been opened and that prosecutors would also be involved.

Owono had rushed out of his area all the way to midfield to challenge for the ball. After being shown the red card he was walking off the field, but turned around and joined the other players rushing to check on De Miguel. After exchanging a handshake with teammate Nacho Quintana, he turned back as medical staff were frantically beckoned onto the pitch, and joined the players surrounding De Miguel as he lay prostrate on the turf.

Owono was led away by club officials down the tunnel at the same time as De Miguel was being rushed off the field on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance. Videos posted online showed Tenerife fans in the stands chanting 'assassin' at Owono for his part in the incident.

Owono's challenge has been widely considered reckless and to have used excessive force. The 25-year-old goalkeeper was born in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, but moved to Spain's Basque Country as a child. He started at Antiguoko, a youth club in San Sebastian, at the age of eight, moved on to Real Sociedad, and joined Alaves in 2017.

Owono made his first-team debut for Alaves in a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in January 2022, becoming the first international born in his country to appear in La Liga. He made 20 appearances in the league and Copa del Rey. Last season he played on loan at Andorra, keeping six clean sheets in 20 league games, before earning a permanent move in August on a two-year deal. He made his Equatorial Guinea debut shortly after turning 18 in March 2019 and has represented his country 46 times.

Madrid native De Miguel made his professional debut in 2015 with Leganés B and has since played for a number of lower-division clubs in Spain. He joined Tenerife last year.

The club's statement read: 'There are no words of comfort. 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.'

Andorra, owned by former Barcelona star Gerard Pique, also offered condolences. '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,' the club said. Other clubs, the Spanish soccer federation and La Liga also expressed their sorrow.

Real Madrid's players held a minute of silence for De Miguel during training, while fellow top-flight club Espanyol postponed the presentation of its new coach. Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé said on social media: 'So much sadness. There are no words.' English clubs Manchester United and Liverpool also joined in offering condolences on social media.