Police open investigation into death of footballer after on-field collision

Police in Spain have confirmed they have opened a “routine” investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter following the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died in hospital on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest as a result of a collision during a match on Monday. De Miguel, 30, collapsed on the pitch after a clash with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who had rushed out of his area to clear the ball but struck the forward in the chest. The match was then abandoned and Owono was shown a red card following the incident, which took place in stoppage time of the second division fixture. De Miguel was taken to hospital after receiving treatment on the pitch. Tenerife initially reported that he was “stable, despite the severity of his condition” before reporting that his neurological condition had worsened in the early hours of Tuesday. They confirmed his death at around 8am on Tuesday. Tenerife's Jesus de Miguel in action against FC Andorra (Reuters) While Spain’s National Police said prosecutors would be involved, authorities in the Canary Islands said the opening of an investigation into the footballer’s death was a routine procedure. Under Spanish law, any death that is deemed non-natural automatically triggers a judicial inquiry. In a statement, Tenerife said: “Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe this is true, we at CD Tenerife announce the tragic passing of Jesus de Miguel Alameda. There are no words of comfort. There is absolutely nothing that can ease this overwhelming sense of sadness.” Owono, a Equatorial Guinea international, has deactivated his Instagram account since the incident. A statement from Andorra read: “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.” Several Spanish teams, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, paid tribute, while Fifpro, the world players’ union, said: “Fifpro is deeply saddened by the passing of CD Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel. Our thoughts are with Jesus’ family, friends, team-mates, everyone at CD Tenerife, and all those affected. Rest in peace, Jesus.” FC Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel is carried on a stretcher (AP) La Liga president Javier Tebas expressed his shock and said the league would work to support the club and De Miguel’s family, and said he would speak to Tenerife about potentially postponing their next match out of concern for the players’ welfare. Speaking in an interview with Television Canaria, Tebas also raised the possibility of a joint tribute between La Liga and the Segunda Division. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said: “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.” All Uefa matches this week will be preceded with a moment of silence in memory of De Miguel while the Spanish Football Federation announced the postponed of Tuesday’s Copa del Rey and Copa del Reina matches. “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,” it said.