The Newshound

Spanish police investigate possible manslaughter after Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel dies following a goalkeeper's flying knee to the chest

Jesús de Miguel and Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono clash near the halfway line; De Miguel's condition worsened overnight after the collision, and Tenerife confirmed his death at 8am on Tuesday.
Jesús de Miguel and Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono clash near the halfway line; De Miguel's condition worsened overnight after the collision, and Tenerife confirmed his death at 8am on Tuesday.
Jesús de Miguel motionless on the pitch after the collision that triggered cardiac arrest in the ambulance, from which paramedics revived him before he reached hospital.
Jesús de Miguel motionless on the pitch after the collision that triggered cardiac arrest in the ambulance, from which paramedics revived him before he reached hospital.

Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, 30, died at 8 a.m. Tuesday in hospital after suffering cardiac arrest on the pitch — and again in the ambulance — when goalkeeper Jesús Owono's knee struck him in the chest during added time of a 2-2 draw with Andorra FC. Spanish police have opened a homicide probe, though the chief prosecutor in Santa Cruz de Tenerife says criminal charges are considered unlikely given the collision occurred during play.

Owono, 25, was 'crying and praying' in the dressing room, deleted his Instagram account after abuse, and reportedly wanted to apologise in person before making any public statement.

A Spanish sports lawyer said the Supreme Court's doctrine holds that 'excesses during a play are subject to sporting, not criminal, sanctions' — meaning Owono faces only a sporting ban.

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe posted that there were 'no words', while the club observed a minute's silence at training and FC Barcelona offered condolences as de Miguel's death sent shockwaves through Spanish football.

MoreDaily MailPolice probe on-pitch collision which killed Spanish footballerMetroJesus Owono in 'profound distress and anguish' after death of Jesus de MiguelAPSpanish police investigating after soccer player dies following on-field collisionFox NewsSpanish soccer player Jesús de Miguel dies after on-field collision as authorities open investigationAPJesús de Miguel, a journeyman whose death after an in-game collision stunned Spanish soccerHuffPostSpanish Police Investigating After Soccer Player Dies After On-Field CollisionWashington TimesSpanish striker Jesus de Miguel dies after on-pitch collisionIrish IndependentManslaughter investigation into death of footballer after on-field collision
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