Football Mourns Tenerife Striker Jesús de Miguel After Fatal Collision
Spanish football is in mourning after Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel died following a collision with an opposing goalkeeper during a match.
De Miguel suffered head and chest injuries when he was struck by FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono in a challenge.
Players around him were visibly devastated, and some broke down in tears as he was taken to hospital. Owono was sent off.
Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter. World news correspondent Adam Gilchrist, speaking on 702, said that should not be read as a sign of wrongdoing, since it is a procedural step.
“It doesn’t necessarily immediately say that there’s guilt involved,” he said.
Gilchrist described the incident as a “really hard tackle” and a “hefty challenge”, but he was sympathetic to the goalkeeper. “I can’t think Owono for one moment wanted to do it,” he said.
De Miguel played for eight clubs across Spain and was a journeyman who played in the country’s second division.
He was not among the sport’s biggest global names, but his death drew tributes from some of its most celebrated figures.
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Gerard Piqué, who co-owns FC Andorra, were among those who paid their respects. Tennis great Rafael Nadal reportedly also offered his condolences.
Gilchrist said De Miguel is being remembered as “a great chap and a very, very good footballer”.
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