The football world is reeling from the tragic death of Jesús de Miguel, a forward for Tenerife, following a severe on-field collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a Spanish second-division La Liga 2 match on November 3rd. This devastating incident has ignited an intense debate surrounding the legal boundaries and potential criminal liability for fatalities occurring on the football pitch.
Club Tenerife confirmed the heartbreaking news of De Miguel’s passing, stating that the injuries sustained from the collision with Owono proved to be too severe. The 30-year-old Spanish international forward was reportedly struck by the Equatorial Guinea international goalkeeper, who ran from his penalty area, causing De Miguel to fall in the center of the pitch. Spanish media outlets reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest while being transported by ambulance to the hospital. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, they were ultimately unable to save the player’s life.
The horrific nature of the incident has led to significant discussion and criticism regarding Owono’s actions. The 25-year-old Andorra goalkeeper faced widespread condemnation from football fans globally for his conduct in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. Local police have since launched a murder investigation into the matter. Following the collision with De Miguel, Owono reportedly did not turn back to check on his opponent, who lay face down on the ground. Instead, he walked towards the sideline, seemingly anticipating the red card he subsequently received from referee Manuel Angel Perez Hernandez.
As emergency services attended to De Miguel and Owono made his way to the changing rooms after being sent off, a video circulated on social media captured Tenerife fans shouting “murderer” at the goalkeeper. However, experts in sports law and criminal justice in Spain have clarified that the distinction between a sporting incident and involuntary manslaughter is clearly defined within the country’s legal system. According to reports from AFP news agency, for an incident to escalate beyond sports disciplinary measures into a criminal offense, legal experts explain that there must be evidence of intentional action to cause harm or an act of aggression that is entirely unwarranted and unrelated to contesting the ball.
In accordance with the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary code, a player found to have committed acts of violence during a match that result in serious injury could face a suspension ranging from 4 to 12 games. The ongoing investigation into this incident will thoroughly evaluate the actions surrounding the collision before any sanctions are determined. De Miguel’s untimely death has cast a pall of profound sadness across the football community, with moments of silence observed in his honor during UEFA Champions League matches across Europe.
