Tenerife mourns footballer Jesús de Miguel as prosecutor weighs legal implications of fatal collision
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Spain | November 4, 2026 | Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel, a 30-year-old forward for CD Tenerife, has died following a collision with an opposing goalkeeper during a second-division match, as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and the football community continues to mourn his death.
De Miguel died at approximately 8 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, at the Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, where he had been receiving treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest following the collision during Monday’s match against FC Andorra at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium in Tenerife.
The incident occurred during the closing minutes of the match when De Miguel was chasing a long ball near the halfway line. FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono rushed out of his penalty area to clear the ball and collided with the forward, striking him in the chest. Owono was immediately shown a straight red card.
Medical personnel attended to De Miguel on the pitch before he was transported by ambulance to the hospital. According to the Associated Press, medical responders managed to restore his pulse during the journey. However, his condition subsequently deteriorated, and he died the following morning. The match, which was tied 2-2, was abandoned after the incident.
The Spanish National Police opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding De Miguel’s death, with the case placed under judicial supervision. The investigation is intended to establish the facts surrounding the fatal collision and determine whether any responsibility extends beyond the sporting disciplinary process.
However, Santa Cruz de Tenerife Chief Prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui said criminal proceedings would be difficult because the collision occurred during an ordinary sporting incident. In statements to Spanish news agency EFE, he explained that established Spanish Supreme Court jurisprudence generally does not consider injuries sustained during sporting activity punishable under criminal law, except in circumstances involving an intentional assault outside the normal course of play.
The prosecutor said authorities would need to examine the referee’s official report and await the findings of the sports disciplinary authorities, particularly their assessment of whether the goalkeeper’s action constituted dangerous or excessively dangerous play and whether there was an intention to cause harm. He emphasized that the opening of an investigation does not establish criminal responsibility on the part of Owono.
The High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands also clarified that judicial investigations are routinely opened when a death is classified as non-natural, including deaths resulting from accidents. The procedure therefore does not, by itself, indicate that a criminal offense has been committed.
Meanwhile, Tenerife has declared an official day of mourning on Wednesday, November 4, following the player’s death. The Tenerife Island Council ordered flags at its government buildings to be flown at half-mast and called for a public minute of silence at 11:30 a.m. outside its headquarters.
Supporters have also gathered outside the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium, leaving flowers, candles and messages in memory of the striker. The stadium has become a place of collective mourning as fans, teammates and members of the community pay tribute to the player.
CD Tenerife announced that a memorial service for De Miguel will be held on Saturday, November 7, at 6 p.m. at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium. The service will be officiated by Bishop Eloy Santiago of the Diocese of Nivariense and will allow supporters and members of the football community to pay their final respects.
The club said its first-team players, coaching staff and directors would also attend the player’s burial in Navahermosa, in the province of Toledo, where his remains are to be transported. Tenerife has suspended activities involving its senior team, women’s team and youth football program and declared six days of official mourning.
De Miguel began his professional career with Leganés B in 2015 before playing for several clubs in Spain’s lower divisions. He joined CD Castellón in 2023, making 88 appearances over three seasons and helping the club secure promotion to the second division during the 2023-2024 season. He transferred to Tenerife in 2025.
His death prompted condolences from clubs and football organizations across Europe, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and FC Andorra. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin also expressed sympathy, with the European football governing body calling for moments of silence before European matches throughout the week. The Royal Spanish Football Federation likewise expressed its condolences and postponed scheduled cup fixtures as a mark of respect.
The tragedy has renewed attention to the risks of serious injuries during competitive football, although fatal incidents resulting from on-field collisions remain rare. De Miguel’s death has left his club, supporters and the wider football community grieving as authorities continue to examine the circumstances of the incident.
CD Tenerife has appealed for respect for the privacy of the player’s family during their bereavement, while supporters prepare to gather at the stadium on Saturday to honor the life and career of the late forward.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
