Tenerife have committed to financially supporting Jesus de Miguel's one-year-old daughter, Carla, until she turns 18. De Miguel, 30, died on Tuesday after a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a Spanish second-division match, an incident that led to Monday's Segunda División game in Tenerife being abandoned in the sixth minute of second-half added time.
Speaking to The Athletic, Tenerife CEO Antonio Manuel Porro Granados confirmed the club's decision and revealed that Manchester United sent a message of condolence to Tenerife. "Our plan is to stand by the girl and make sure the entire Tenerife family supports her," he said. "We want to be there for her at least until she reaches adulthood."
Granados said the commitment had been made at the initiative of the club's majority shareholder. "This is a commitment we have made at the initiative of our majority shareholder, Rayco Garcia, and one that we all fully support. It is a commitment that Tenerife, as a club, is making to the family and to their daughter, Carla," he said. "We will provide the maximum possible support in every respect, beyond what we are legally obliged to provide. We are also exploring other ways of increasing the financial support, so that, at least in material terms, the circumstances do not affect their lives quite so much -- although, of course, it is impossible for them not to have an impact."
Granados also praised the wider football community's response. "I am proud of the response we are seeing from clubs across the board. Many have been in touch to share their initiatives with us," he said. "For example, Burgos have called to tell us that they want to donate the entire gate receipts from the match we play against them to the family, particularly to his daughter and heirs. All of this is bringing out the best in the world of football. Manchester United sent us their condolences yesterday."
Hercules forward Fran Sol, who spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Tenerife, has launched a separate crowdfunding campaign for the family. Spain internationals Alvaro Morata and Alex Baena are among those who have contributed, alongside numerous fans, with the fund raising more than €100,000 (£83,000; $110,000). The Athletic understands the family will also receive around €360,000 in base compensation.
Owono, 25, made his first public comment on the incident on Thursday, saying he had experienced "the hardest days of my life" and expressing his "immense grief." A report on November 4 said local authorities had opened a routine investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter following the collision, though the Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor said criminal proceedings against Owono were considered unlikely.
Granados also addressed the question of safety protocols. "Safety measures have continued to improve over the years, and that is an ongoing process at every football ground," he said. "But what happened on Monday was a tragic incident, and we will have to consider what questions need to be asked and what changes may be necessary. I hope Jesus' death can help prevent something similar from happening in the future. We need to look at this from two perspectives: not just from the standpoint of organisations such as La Liga and the Premier League, or the clubs themselves, but also by ensuring that players are aware of what can happen."
