All matches in the top two divisions of Spanish soccer this weekend -- including the top-of-the-table clash between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona -- could be suspended as a mark of respect to Jesús de Miguel.
De Miguel died on Tuesday, a day after a collision during a La Liga 2 match between his Tenerife side and FC Andorra. The striker, who helped Tenerife earn promotion from Spain's third tier last season, suffered a chest injury that caused cardiac arrest. The 30-year-old was resuscitated and became stable, but his condition later deteriorated and he died early Tuesday morning.
Opposing goalkeeper Jesús Owono was shown a red card following the collision. He has since deactivated his Instagram account after being subjected to abuse over De Miguel's death.
Barcelona had already played Aston Villa in the Champions League on Tuesday night when news of De Miguel's death emerged. Winger Raphinha admitted afterward that the match had been difficult to play, saying, "He's a fellow player and it could have happened to anyone. It could have happened to me. He was the same age as me."
In Spain, El Larguero on the Cadena SER radio station has reported that officials are considering postponing all 20 matches scheduled across La Liga and La Liga 2 from Friday, Nov. 6 through Monday, Nov. 9. The Athletic has also reported that the Spanish soccer players' union, AFE, has requested that all matches across the top two tiers be suspended.
Tenerife's scheduled match against Granada, originally set for Saturday, Nov. 7, has already been postponed.
A full suspension of the weekend's fixtures is not straightforward, however. Contractual issues involving broadcasters and sponsors would need to be resolved given the knock-on impact of rearranging an entire round of matches, though senior officials are reportedly "studying it" as a possibility.
Investigation Into Owono's Role
A routine investigation into De Miguel's death has been opened, though Owono is "very unlikely" to face criminal proceedings, according to Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor José Luis Sénchez-Jáuregui, as quoted by the Spanish news agency EFE.
Owono has not spoken publicly but has been defended by teammate Lautaro Spatz, who wrote on Instagram: "There are moments when football loses its meaning. Moments that mark you forever and make you realize how fragile life can be. What we experienced is something none of us will ever forget. A tragedy that has left us completely broken, speechless, and with a sadness difficult to explain."
Spatz added: "Those of us who know him know the kind of person he is, how much he's suffering right now, and that he would never intend to hurt anyone. In football, accidents happen, but no one can imagine that one of them could end with such tragic consequences."
