Spanish Police Investigate Goalkeeper Jesús Owono Over Death of Tenerife Striker After On-Field Collision

Spanish authorities have commenced an investigation into FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono following the death of CD Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel, who suffered a cardiac arrest after a collision during a Spanish second-division football encounter.

De Miguel, 30, died on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at a hospital in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a day after the incident occurred during a league fixture between Tenerife and FC Andorra.

The fatal incident happened in the closing stages of Monday's match when Owono rushed out of his penalty area to intercept a long ball being pursued by De Miguel. The goalkeeper collided with the striker, striking him in the chest with his knee.

The forward initially dropped to his knees before collapsing onto the pitch, prompting players from both sides to immediately call for medical assistance.

Medical personnel attended to De Miguel for several minutes before he was rushed to hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care. Although doctors initially managed to stabilise his condition, his health deteriorated, and the club subsequently confirmed his death.

Owono was shown a straight red card following the challenge, while the match, which was level at 2-2, was abandoned.

Police Open Criminal Investigation

Following the player's death, Spain's National Police opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, with the case also attracting the attention of prosecutors.

However, José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, the chief prosecutor in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, indicated that pursuing criminal charges could prove difficult because the collision occurred during an active football match.

Speaking to Spanish news agency EFE, the prosecutor explained that established legal principles generally distinguish between injuries resulting from ordinary sporting challenges and deliberate acts of violence outside the rules of play.

He noted that investigators would need to examine the referee's report and the findings of football disciplinary authorities before determining whether the goalkeeper's actions went beyond an acceptable sporting challenge.

Authorities also clarified that opening an investigation following a death classified as non-natural is a standard judicial procedure and does not automatically mean that the goalkeeper will face prosecution.

Goalkeeper Reportedly Devastated

The tragedy has also raised concerns about the emotional impact on Owono, who reportedly struggled to cope with the incident.

The 25-year-old Equatorial Guinea international was said to be deeply distressed following the collision, while reports indicated that he had received abusive messages on social media.

His Instagram account was subsequently deactivated amid the online backlash.

Football Community Mourns De Miguel

FC Andorra expressed condolences to the deceased player's family, teammates and CD Tenerife, describing the incident as a devastating loss.

The club also announced psychological support for its players and staff following the tragedy and requested the postponement of its next fixture against RCD Mallorca.

Meanwhile, the Spanish Football Federation postponed several scheduled matches as a mark of respect, while UEFA announced that moments of silence would be observed before European fixtures.

Major European clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, also joined the football community in paying tribute to the late striker.

De Miguel's death has renewed discussions about player safety, the risks associated with high-intensity challenges and the legal responsibilities of athletes during competitive sporting events.