Death of Jesus de Miguel: Spanish Players' Union Demands Weekend Match Suspension

The Spanish Players’ Union (AFE) has officially requested that La Liga suspend all weekend matches following the death of Jesus de Miguel, striker for CD Tenerife, which occurred on Monday. The union believes players are not in a fit state to compete normally.

According to reports from daily newspaper AS, the AFE contacted La Liga management on Tuesday to submit this request. La Liga has not responded to the letter so far. Internally, players are said to overwhelmingly support the move, according to the union.

In its statement, the AFE detailed the mindset of those involved in the game: “Players have expressed their profound sadness at this loss and believe that the emotional and human circumstances do not allow them to approach competition normally.” The union added that “the most appropriate course of action would be to suspend the matchday,” regardless of which Spanish championship is concerned, calling on football to “show that beyond competitions, sporting and economic interests, there are human beings.”

La Liga nevertheless limited postponements to three matches directly linked to the deceased player’s club: Granada-Tenerife, Andorra-Mallorca and Castellón-Eibar. The rest of the schedule remains in place, with television revenues and sponsorship contracts weighing heavily in the balance, according to the Spanish media.

Meanwhile, the Spanish Royal Football Federation (RFEF) had decreed three days of competition suspension as a sign of mourning. The AFE wanted to extend this gesture until the following Monday, but its request has not been granted at this stage.