Spanish police investigate Jesús de Miguel's death: FC Andorra goalkeeper Owono could face criminal consequences

Spain's National Police have launched an investigation into the death of Jesús de Miguel, the 30-year-old CD Tenerife footballer who passed away on Tuesday, November 3, following a violent collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during Monday's match at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium.

The investigation is being conducted by the Homicide Unit of the National Police in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with the case already under judicial supervision, according to police sources cited by EFE and Europa Press.

Investigators will seek to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether any criminal responsibility could arise from the goalkeeper's actions.

The footballer's death has sent shockwaves through Spanish football and placed Owono in a particularly difficult situation, both personally and potentially from a legal and sporting perspective.

According to reports from sources close to the goalkeeper, Owono is deeply distressed and in a state of shock following the tragic outcome. Before De Miguel's death was confirmed, he had reportedly expressed his wish to apologise privately and personally to the player's family.

Police investigation aims to establish what happened

The incident occurred during the closing stages of the match between CD Tenerife and FC Andorra, when Jesús de Miguel was advancing towards goal and Owono came forward to challenge for a loose ball.

The goalkeeper collided violently with the striker, who collapsed on the pitch and suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest.

Emergency medical teams immediately intervened and managed to resuscitate the player before transferring him to Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria in Tenerife.

De Miguel was admitted to the intensive care unit, but his neurological condition deteriorated overnight.

CD Tenerife subsequently confirmed that the 30-year-old striker had died at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3.

The referee showed Owono a straight red card following the collision, and the match was suspended because of the seriousness of the incident.

However, the involvement of the Homicide Unit does not mean that Owono has committed a crime or that criminal charges have been brought against him.

The investigation is intended to reconstruct the events, examine medical evidence and establish whether there are sufficient grounds for potential criminal proceedings.

Owono could face up to four years in prison if gross negligence is established

One of the main questions investigators must address is whether the goalkeeper's actions could constitute negligent homicide under Article 142 of the Spanish Criminal Code.

Spanish legislation distinguishes between different levels of negligence depending on the seriousness of the conduct.

• Gross negligence: A prison sentence ranging from one to four years.

• Less serious negligence: A financial penalty calculated over a period of three to eighteen months, without imprisonment. Prosecution of this lesser offence would require a complaint from a legally entitled person.

These penalties are established under Spanish criminal law, but their existence does not mean Owono has been formally accused of negligent homicide or that he will face prosecution.

For criminal liability to be established, investigators would need to demonstrate that the goalkeeper's conduct exceeded the risks normally accepted in competitive sport, breached the legally required duty of care and caused a death that could be legally attributed to his actions.

The fact that an incident occurs during a football match does not automatically exclude criminal liability.

Equally, not every sporting accident resulting in death constitutes a criminal offence, even when the challenge leads to a red card or disciplinary punishment.

Video footage of the collision, the referee's official report, medical records and expert assessments could therefore prove crucial in determining whether any criminal responsibility exists.

Goalkeeper could also face a suspension of four to twelve matches

Alongside the police investigation, FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono could face disciplinary action from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Article 102 of the federation's Disciplinary Code provides for suspensions of between four and twelve matches for violent actions committed during play that cause serious injury, provided the incident does not constitute a more serious disciplinary offence.

Any potential suspension would depend on the disciplinary authorities' assessment of the challenge, the referee's report and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

It is important to distinguish between sporting disciplinary responsibility and criminal liability, as the two involve different legal standards and procedures.

A red card or a federation-imposed suspension does not automatically establish that a criminal offence has taken place.

Owono reportedly devastated by the tragedy

Beyond the possibility of legal or sporting consequences, Jesús Owono is reportedly going through an extremely difficult personal period.

According to reports concerning those close to him, the FC Andorra goalkeeper remains deeply affected by the death of Jesús de Miguel and is struggling to come to terms with what happened.

Before the striker's death was announced, Owono had reportedly expressed his intention to contact the player's family privately to convey his apologies following the collision.

The tragedy has profoundly affected both clubs and the wider Spanish football community, prompting messages of condolence and solidarity from across the sport.

Meanwhile, the authorities continue working to determine exactly what happened during the challenge that preceded the death of the 30-year-old footballer.

For now, the investigation remains open, and no criminal responsibility on Owono's part has been established.