Spanish homicide police have launched an investigation into the on-pitch collision that resulted in the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, although goalkeeper Jesús Owono is reportedly unlikely to face criminal sanctions over the incident.
Owono, 25, was sent off after his challenge left De Miguel critically injured during Tenerife’s Spanish second-division fixture against FC Andorra.
The match was abandoned in stoppage time as medical personnel attended to the forward, who was later rushed to hospital.
De Miguel, 30, died on Tuesday, November 3, at 8am, according to an announcement released by Tenerife.
Owono Says He Had No Intention of Causing Harm
The Equatorial Guinea international has reportedly maintained that he never intended to injure his fellow professional.
Reports also indicate that he has been deeply affected by the incident and the reaction from supporters.
Spanish journalist Iván Alvarez, speaking on COPE radio before De Miguel’s death was officially announced, said Owono and FC Andorra had stressed that the challenge was not deliberate.
Alvarez reported that the goalkeeper was extremely distressed by what had happened and intended to contact De Miguel’s family personally to offer his apologies.
He also revealed that Owono had closed his Instagram account after receiving abusive messages and being subjected to chants of “murderer” from supporters at the stadium.
According to Alvarez, the goalkeeper wanted to approach the family privately before making any public statement.
Fatal Collision Led to Match Abandonment
The incident happened when Owono attempted to clear the ball near the halfway line.
His raised knee struck De Miguel in the chest, leaving the Tenerife forward motionless on the pitch.
Medical staff spent more than five minutes attending to the injured player before he was taken away for further treatment.
His teammates were visibly distressed, with several appearing to cry as the situation unfolded.
Owono was shown a red card for the challenge, and the referee subsequently abandoned the match.
Footage recorded from the stands also showed the goalkeeper confronting supporters as he made his way towards the dressing rooms.
Some spectators had been directing angry chants at him following the collision.
Spanish media outlet Marca reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest while being transported to hospital and had to be revived inside the ambulance.
Goalkeeper Expected to Avoid Criminal Penalties
Reports in Spain suggest Owono is unlikely to face criminal punishment over De Miguel’s death, with the consequences of the incident expected to fall primarily under football disciplinary regulations.
According to AS, disciplinary rules provide for a suspension of four to 12 matches when violent conduct towards an opponent during a game causes serious injury or harm.
The nature of Owono’s challenge could reportedly result in a suspension ranging from eight to 12 matches.
The goalkeeper’s involvement in the incident has attracted widespread attention, particularly following the reaction from supporters and the confirmation of De Miguel’s death.
Tenerife Confirms Striker’s Death in Emotional Statement
CD Tenerife announced the forward’s death in a statement released on Tuesday morning.
The club said: “Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe that this is true, from CD Tenerife we communicate the tragic death, this Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., of Jesús de Miguel Alameda.”
The statement continued: “There are no words of comfort. There is absolutely nothing to mitigate this feeling full of sadness.
“We are with his devastated family, with his loved ones, with all the people of Tenerife who today mourn this cruel outcome.”
The club also acknowledged the messages of support received by the family and appealed for their privacy to be respected during the difficult period.
De Miguel became a father last year. According to El Español, his wife and baby daughter were among those watching from the stands when the incident occurred.
Tenerife Announces Memorial for De Miguel
Tenerife majority shareholder Rayco García and club president Felipe Miñambres spoke outside the hospital on Tuesday afternoon, describing the loss as an unbearable experience for the club and its supporters.
García said arrangements were being made to transfer De Miguel’s body to Navahermosa, in Toledo, in accordance with his family’s wishes.
He also announced that supporters would gather at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium on Saturday at 6pm to pay their final respects.
García said the club, its players and supporters would come together to mourn the striker and support one another through the tragedy.
Miñambres described the death as an unprecedented situation for the club and said professional assistance would be required for players, their families and supporters.
He added that Tenerife would observe a week of mourning and organise a tribute to the player, who was affectionately known as ‘Demi’.
UEFA Announces Minute of Silence Across European Matches
Tributes have continued to arrive from football organisations and clubs following confirmation of De Miguel’s death.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin expressed his condolences, confirming that a minute of silence would be observed at all UEFA matches this week in the striker’s memory.
He said: “We are heartbroken by the death of Jesús de Miguel Alameda.
“We have searched for words and found only silence.
In that silence, our hearts and thoughts are with his family, his teammates, everyone at CD Tenerife, and all those who mourn this tragic loss.”
The Royal Spanish Football Federation also cancelled all domestic matches scheduled for Tuesday.
FC Andorra, Tenerife’s opponents in the abandoned fixture, released a statement expressing their condolences to De Miguel’s family, teammates, friends and former club.
Barcelona and Real Madrid were among the Spanish clubs that also paid tribute.
Barcelona said its thoughts and support were with the striker’s family, friends and loved ones, while Real Madrid extended its condolences to his relatives, teammates and everyone associated with Tenerife.
The Spanish Footballers Association also expressed its deepest sorrow, highlighting De Miguel’s contribution to the football community and his commitment to defending the rights of fellow professionals.
Former Clubs Pay Tribute to De Miguel
De Miguel’s previous club, CD Castellón, also released an emotional statement following his death.
The club remembered his contribution during his time at the organisation, describing him as an important part of its history and recalling the goals he celebrated with supporters at the SkyFi Castalia stadium.
Castellón extended its condolences to his family and loved ones while expressing solidarity with Tenerife and its supporters.
De Miguel joined Tenerife in 2025 and scored 11 goals in 30 appearances, helping the club win the Spanish third division title and secure promotion.
Before joining Tenerife, he had also contributed to promotion campaigns with Internacional de Madrid and CD Castellón.
Owono’s Football Career
Owono is an established member of the Equatorial Guinea national team, having earned 44 international appearances and represented his country at two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 25-year-old grew up in the Basque Country after moving to San Sebastián at the age of eight.
He began his football development at Real Sociedad’s youth academy before joining Alavés when he was 16.
Owono subsequently became the first Equatorial Guinean player born in the country to feature in Spain’s top division, making 11 LaLiga appearances.
He joined FC Andorra on loan last season before completing a permanent move to the club during the summer.
The goalkeeper and his teammates reportedly returned to Barcelona on Tuesday morning following the tragedy.
