Spain's National Police have opened an investigation into the death of Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, who died on Tuesday, Nov. 3, after a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono. Owono was shown a red card following the collision, which occurred near midfield during a La Liga 2 match on Monday, Nov. 2. De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital, with the match abandoned. His neurological condition deteriorated on Tuesday morning and he died at the age of 30.
The National Police have opened proceedings for possible involuntary manslaughter. However, José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, the chief prosecutor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, told EFE that it is "very unlikely" the case will result in criminal proceedings against Owono.
Sánchez-Jáuregui said injuries sustained during a sporting event typically do not fall under criminal liability, though he will first wait for the results of an investigation by the Royal Spanish Football Federation's Disciplinary Committee. He added that the referee's match report will be key, as well as whether the disciplinary committee determines that Owono's challenge was intended to cause harm.
Why is an investigation being opened into De Miguel's death?
According to multiple Spanish outlets, the High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC) said that a judicial investigation is the standard procedure for any death that occurs due to unnatural causes. The opening of such an investigation does not imply there is any evidence of a crime, or that any individual has been assigned criminal responsibility for a death.
"Every death that does not have a natural cause -- what is known as 'judicial death,' whether due to accident or other causes -- entails the opening of a judicial investigation ex officio, as is the case here," a TSJC statement said.
