POLICE INVESTIGATE AFTER FOOTBALLER JESÚS DE MIGUEL DIES FOLLOWING ON-FIELD COLLISION WITH GOALKEEPER JESÚS OWONO

Authorities are examining both the collision and the emergency medical response after the 30-year-old Tenerife striker suffered a cardiac arrest during a match against FC Andorra. His death has left Spanish football in mourning, while goalkeeper Jesús Owono says he is experiencing “the hardest days of my life.”

Spanish police have opened an investigation following the death of footballer Jesús de Miguel, who passed away on November 3, 2026, one day after a serious collision during a Spanish second-division match between CD Tenerife and FC Andorra.

The 30-year-old forward suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest after colliding with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during the closing moments of the game at Tenerife’s Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium on November 2.

De Miguel was taken to hospital and admitted to intensive care. Despite emergency efforts to save him, the club confirmed that he died at approximately 8 a.m. the following morning.

His death prompted an outpouring of grief from teammates, supporters and football organisations across Spain and beyond.

THE COLLISION THAT STOPPED THE MATCH

The incident occurred in the 96th minute, during added time.

Owono, 25, rushed out of his goal to challenge for a high ball as De Miguel moved into the same area. The two players collided heavily, leaving the Tenerife forward on the pitch.

The referee immediately stopped play and showed Owono a straight red card for making contact with an opponent with his leg raised and using excessive force while the ball was being contested, according to the official match report.

Medical staff rushed onto the field to assist De Miguel. The situation quickly became critical, and the match was eventually abandoned with the score at 2-2.

According to reports, medical personnel attempted to revive the striker before he was transported to hospital. Tenerife later confirmed that he had been admitted to intensive care.

The club announced his passing the following morning, describing the news as an unimaginable tragedy.

POLICE INVESTIGATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS DEATH

Following De Miguel’s death, Spain’s National Police opened an investigation, which was placed under judicial supervision.

Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether the goalkeeper’s challenge could carry any legal responsibility beyond the sporting disciplinary process.

However, the investigation does not mean that Owono has been found criminally responsible.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s chief prosecutor, José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, told Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings were considered very unlikely because the collision happened during an ordinary phase of play.

Under Spanish law, deaths that are not clearly attributable to natural causes can trigger an official judicial investigation. This procedure allows authorities to establish what happened and whether any legal responsibility exists.

The referee’s report recorded that the ball was being contested when the collision occurred. That detail may be important when sporting authorities assess the incident.

QUESTIONS OVER THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE

Beyond the collision itself, investigators are also examining the medical assistance De Miguel received on the pitch.

A report by El País on November 4 said police were looking into whether the established medical protocols were followed and whether the required emergency procedures were carried out within the appropriate time.

Among the questions being examined are:

• What medical equipment and emergency resources were available at the stadium?
• What treatment was provided while De Miguel remained on the pitch?
• When was oxygen administered, and what procedures were used?
• When was the decision made to move him from the field?
• Why did the ambulance remain near the stadium access rather than entering the pitch?

The player reportedly remained on the field for more than six minutes before being moved onto a spinal board and taken towards the waiting ambulance.

The Associated Press also reported that there were conflicting accounts about when CPR was performed and whether a defibrillator was used.

Elvira González, president of Spain’s Association of Nurses, Emergency Medics and Caregivers, stressed that it was too early to determine whether medical staff had acted correctly.

She told the Associated Press that the priority was to establish whether emergency procedures had followed internationally recognised standards.

The investigation is expected to examine medical records, available footage and reports from those involved in the response.

Importantly, no official conclusion has been announced that the medical response was inadequate or that any delay caused De Miguel’s death.

JESÚS OWONO SPEAKS OUT: “THE HARDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE”

As the investigation continues, Owono has spoken publicly about the emotional impact of the tragedy.

In a statement released through FC Andorra, the goalkeeper described the days following the collision as the most difficult of his life.

“These are the hardest days of my life,” he said.

He expressed profound sadness over De Miguel’s death and offered his thoughts to the player’s family and everyone who loved him.

Owono also acknowledged that many questions would need to be addressed, saying he would face whatever came with respect.

The goalkeeper reportedly deactivated his Instagram account after receiving a wave of abusive comments online, including accusations directed at him following the tragedy.

His teammate Lautaro Spatz publicly defended him, saying that those who knew Owono understood how deeply affected he was and that he would never intentionally hurt another player.

FC Andorra also expressed its condolences to De Miguel’s family and said the tragedy had deeply affected everyone connected with the club.

OWONO LEFT OUT OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA’S UPCOMING SQUAD

The emotional consequences have also extended to Owono’s international career.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper was left out of Equatorial Guinea’s squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Zimbabwe, scheduled for November 12 and November 16.

Reuters reported the squad decision on November 6.

Owono has been a key figure for his national team, but the federation has expressed support for him as he deals with the emotional impact of the incident.

His absence should not be interpreted as proof of disciplinary action or a finding of wrongdoing.

A FAMILY AND FOOTBALL COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

For De Miguel’s family, the loss is devastating.

The striker was married and had a young daughter. His wife and child were reportedly present at the stadium when the collision happened.

Tributes quickly appeared outside Tenerife’s stadium, where supporters left flowers and messages in his memory.

The club announced a period of mourning and offered support to his loved ones, teammates and everyone affected by the tragedy.

Clubs and players from across the football world also expressed their condolences. Moments of tribute were held around European football matches as news of his passing spread.

AN INVESTIGATION WITH IMPORTANT QUESTIONS STILL UNANSWERED

As of November 7, authorities have not published a final conclusion about the precise medical cause of De Miguel’s death or whether any individual or organisation bears legal responsibility.

The investigation is examining two particularly important areas: the collision during the match and the emergency treatment that followed.

For Owono, the tragedy has brought intense grief and public scrutiny. For De Miguel’s family, it has brought an irreversible loss.

And for Spanish football, the incident has raised difficult questions about player safety, emergency preparedness and how medical teams respond when a player suffers a life-threatening emergency on the pitch.

The answers will have to come from the evidence, not speculation.

For now, the football community continues to remember Jesús de Miguel — a player whose life ended far too soon.