Death of Jesus De Miguel: Investigation Opened Into Medical Care at Tenerife

Jesus De Miguel, a 30-year-old striker for Tenerife, died Tuesday morning following a violent collision with Andorran goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a Spanish second-division match played Monday. His death has plunged Iberian football into mourning and triggered two separate procedures.

Spanish police have opened an investigation into the medical care provided to the player after the incident. The investigations focus primarily on the actions taken by medical teams present on the pitch, notably those from the club and the Red Cross. Investigators are seeking to establish whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed in the first minutes, whether a defibrillator was used, and whether the player received oxygen before being transferred to an ambulance. According to Catalan newspaper Sport, “initial findings indicate possible inconsistencies between certain reports and images of the intervention broadcast in the media and on social networks”.

Transferred to hospital in critical condition Monday afternoon, De Miguel died Tuesday morning after neurological complications that occurred overnight, according to Spanish press reports.

Regarding Jesus Owono, the Tenerife prosecutor stated Wednesday in the pages of newspaper El Dia that it was “unlikely that the case would result in criminal charges against the visiting team’s goalkeeper”. In the absence of a complaint filed with the public prosecutor’s office, the Andorran goalkeeper is currently mainly exposed to sporting disciplinary sanctions, with a lengthy suspension to come.

In a statement published by his club Wednesday, Owono expressed his pain and compassion toward De Miguel’s family, while saying he was ready to assume his responsibilities: “I know there will be many questions that need to be answered and I will face whatever comes with the greatest respect.”

The shock caused by this tragedy is such that the Spanish players’ union has called for the postponement of second-division matches scheduled for this weekend.