Team-mate defends 'deeply affected' Owono after Jesus de Miguel dies from on-pitch collision

Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel died on Tuesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Spanish second-division match on Monday, in which he collided with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono. Owono was sent off for the challenge, which saw him race out from his goal and make forceful contact with the 30-year-old striker.

Andorra defender Lautaro Spatz has since spoken publicly in defence of his team-mate, posting a tribute on Instagram after Owono deleted his own account on the platform. Spatz described De Miguel’s death as “a tragedy that has left us completely broken, without words and with a sadness difficult to explain.”

The 25-year-old Argentine also addressed the wellbeing of Owono directly. “I also want to have some words for my team-mate, goalkeeper and friend, who is deeply affected by what happened,” Spatz wrote. “Those of us who know him know the type of person he is, how much he is suffering in these moments and that he would never intend to hurt anyone. In football, unfortunate incidents happen but no-one could imagine that one of these could end in such tragic circumstances.”

Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, though Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor Jose Luis Sanchez-Jauregui told Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings were “very unlikely”, noting that such an inquiry is standard practice under Spanish law.

Tenerife have declared six days of official mourning. Supporters gathered at the club’s Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez stadium to lay tributes, and a memorial service for De Miguel is scheduled at the ground on Saturday evening, with fans invited to attend.

Tuesday’s domestic Spanish fixtures were postponed as a mark of respect. Champions League matches went ahead, including Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at the Nou Camp, which was preceded by a minute’s silence. Raphinha, who scored twice, declined to discuss the game afterwards. “I want to send a lot of strength to the family of Jesus. Today I’m not going to talk about football,” the Brazilian said. “He was the same age as me — it’s been a difficult day. Personally, it touched me a lot.”