Spanish police investigate after on-field collision kills soccer player

Spanish police are investigating the death of Jesús de Miguel, a 30-year-old Tenerife forward, following an on-field collision during a second-division match. De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest after being struck in the chest by the opposing team's goalkeeper, Jesús Owono, during added time on Monday. Owono was shown a straight red card for the incident, and the match, tied 2-2, was abandoned after the collision.

De Miguel collapsed on the field after the collision, clutching his torso for a few seconds before falling to the ground. He was taken to a hospital, but the injury proved fatal. The National Police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, and prosecutors are also involved.

Tenerife, located on Spain's Canary Islands, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it “heartbroken.” Andorra, the team owned by former Barcelona star Gerard Pique, also extended its condolences to de Miguel’s family and friends, saying, “May he rest in peace.”

De Miguel made his professional debut in 2015 with Leganés B and has since played for several lower-division clubs in Spain. He joined Tenerife last year. The Spanish soccer federation postponed several matches in memory of de Miguel, as life-threatening injuries from collisions in soccer are extremely rare. Last year, another goalkeeper, Raúl Ramírez, suffered two cardiorespiratory arrests and was declared brain dead two days later after a collision in a fifth-division match. In 2001, Ukrainian goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun died from head injuries received during a collision in a match.

The incident has sparked widespread grief across the soccer community, with Real Madrid holding a minute of silence for de Miguel during training and other clubs expressing their condolences on social media. Fellow topflight club Espanyol postponed the presentation of its new coach in respect for de Miguel and his family. The tragedy has led to an ongoing investigation to determine the full extent of the circumstances surrounding his death.