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Spanish police investigate footballer De Miguel’s death

The public prosecutor’s office is also involved in the investigation into the collision during a Tenerife match.

Follow-up to: Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel dies after collision Tuesday, 3 November 2026, 10:15

Spanish police are investigating the death of footballer Jesús de Miguel following a collision during the match between CD Tenerife and FC Andorra. According to the AP news agency, possible manslaughter is being examined; the Spanish prosecutor says criminal proceedings would be difficult for now.

De Miguel died on Tuesday after colliding with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during Monday’s match in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. His club said he suffered cardiac arrest after the collision. Police announced on Tuesday that an investigation had been opened and that prosecutors were also being involved, AP reports.

According to EFE, the investigation is under judicial supervision. The Tribunal Superior de Justicia of the Canary Islands told the news agency that a judicial investigation is automatically opened in cases of unnatural death. That in itself does not mean that anyone is being prosecuted.

The collision occurred in the closing stages of the match, when Owono left his penalty area to intercept a long ball. The goalkeeper was shown a straight red card for the action. The match, which was 2-2 at the time, was not completed after the incident, according to AP.

José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, the public prosecutor for Santa Cruz de Tenerife, told EFE that criminal proceedings could be difficult. He said that in Spain the starting point is that sports injuries sustained during play are not criminal offences, except where there may have been an intentional attack or an act outside the game. First, he said, the referee’s report and the sports judge’s decision must be awaited.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the death. The investigation into De Miguel’s death in itself does not mean that Owono is at fault. The Spanish football federation postponed several matches on Tuesday and announced commemorative moments.

For Dutch sports followers, the key point is that a fatal accident on the pitch does not automatically lead to criminal liability. The outcome depends on the facts, the sporting assessment and whether the conduct fell outside the normal risks of the game.

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