Police have launched a homicide investigation into the on-pitch collision that led to the death of a Spanish footballer.

Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, 30, died this morning just hours after receiving a flying knee to the chest from Andorra FC goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who was sent off before the match in Spain's second division was abandoned.

Owono, 25, is reportedly planning to apologise to de Miguel's family. He is said to be 'deeply upset' and has insisted there was 'no intention to cause harm'.

The Andorra goalkeeper was subjected to chants of 'murderer' by the Tenerife fans, who clashed with him as he left the pitch. 

The Homicide Group of the National Police in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are now investigating what happened during the match.

Reports suggest Owono is expected to avoid criminal sanctions over the horrifying on-pitch collision, with his challenge likely to only result in sporting penalties. 

In Spain, investigations are typically opened for any deaths not linked to natural causes.

Spanish sports lawyer Miguel Galan said today: 'The Supreme Court's doctrine states that excesses during a play are subject to sporting, not criminal, sanctions.'

De Miguel was admitted to intensive care after the tackle. However, Tenerife announced today that his condition had worsened overnight and he passed away this morning after entering cardiac arrest.

The striker was treated for over five minutes while his team-mates were visibly distressed, with some appearing to be in tears.

Journalist Iván Alvarez, speaking on COPE radio before De Miguel's death was announced, reported that the goalkeeper intended to apologise to De Miguel's family in person. 

Alvarez added that Owono and Andorra FC had insisted there had been 'no intention to cause harm' and that the goalkeeper had closed his Instagram account after being subjected to 'murderer' chants and messages.

'Some of the people who were at the stadium and some messages I exchanged with players told me it's the hardest thing they've ever experienced on a football pitch,' the journalist said.

He added that Owono is 'very upset' and that 'no one would ever think of someone wanting to harm a fellow professional in that way'.

Alvarez continued: 'Andorra emphasises that there was no ill intent at any point, acknowledging that it was a mistimed outburst, an action that went terribly wrong and, I would say, excessive and violent, but they insist there was no intention to cause harm. 

'Owono, who doesn't appreciate hearing an entire stadium like the Heliodoro chanting "murderer, murderer", has even closed his Instagram account after all the criticism he's received this afternoon.

'His intention is to contact Jesus de Miguel's family or someone close to him personally, when the time is right. He wants to do so privately first, before making any public statement.'

Footage taken from the stands had shown Owono clashing with supporters as he left the pitch. 

The AS newspaper reported that a challenge judged to be an act of 'violent conduct toward an opponent during a game that causes serious injury or harm' is punishable by a suspension of four to 12 games.

Owono is a current Equatorial Guinea international and has represented his nation 44 times, including playing at the Africa Cup of Nations twice.

He grew up in the Basque Country after moving to San Sebastian in northern Spain at the age of eight.

Owono came through Real Sociedad's youth academy and joined Alaves at 16.

He became the first player born in Equatorial Guinea to play in the Spanish top flight.

Owono played 11 LaLiga matches before joining Andorra on loan last season and signed permanently for the club this summer.

The goalkeeper and his team-mates had reportedly returned to Barcelona this morning.

De Miguel is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest while being transported to hospital and had to be revived inside the ambulance, according to Spanish media outlet Marca.

Rayco Garcia, Tenerife's majority shareholder, and the club's president Felipe Minambres spoke of their 'unbearable pain' after de Miguel's death.

The club confirmed plans for fans to pay tribute to the striker this Saturday at their stadium, while outlining that his team-mates will receive support following the tragedy.

Rayco said on Radio Marca Tenerife: 'We are facing an unprecedented situation. We are very hurt, Tenerife fans are in mourning. It is very difficult to accept. Tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, we will have the definitive "ok" to transfer the player's body, at the express wish of his family, to Navahermosa, in Toledo.

'There we will pay our last farewell to Jesús de Miguel. On Saturday we summoned all the fans of the island, at 18:00, at the Heliodoro, to say our last goodbye together, and we will join forces to move forward. Life has hit us all, but we are a big family and we are going to move forward.'

Minambres added: 'It is a very sad day... It is an unlived situation, that a player dies like this on a pitch. We are in moments of weakness, of sadness, of not believing what has happened.

'We will go through the mourning and this will make us more united. We have to spend a week in mourning, we are going to need professional help, us, the players and their families. Also that of our followers.

'We have to pay the tribute that "Demi" deserves. We will always carry it in our hearts. It is a great misfortune that we have suffered.'

In a statement this morning, CD Tenerife had confirmed the striker's death, saying: 'Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe that this is true, from CD Tenerife we communicate the tragic death, this Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., of Jesús de Miguel Alameda.

'There are no words of comfort. There is absolutely nothing to mitigate this feeling full of sadness. 

'We are with his devastated family, with his loved ones, with all the people of Tenerife who today mourn this cruel outcome. 

'The family of Jesus de Miguel is grateful for each and every one of the expressions of support received, and also requests, from the bottom of its heart, maximum respect for his privacy, in these terrible moments.' 

De Miguel had become a father just last year and, according to El Espanol, his wife and baby daughter were watching in the stands at the time of the fatal collision. 

Tributes have been paid to the striker from across the football world following the tragic incident.

European football body Uefa has confirmed that a minute of silence will be held at all their matches this week in tribute to De Miguel. Arsenal held a minute of silence at training this morning. 

Uefa president Aleksander Čeferin said: 'We are heartbroken by the death of Jesús de Miguel Alameda.

'We have searched for words and found only silence. In that silence, our hearts and thoughts are with his family, his teammates, everyone at CD Tenerife, and all those who mourn this tragic loss.' 

The Royal Spanish Football Federation have meanwhile cancelled all domestic matches today.

Tenerife's opponents Andorra offered their condolences following news of De Miguel's death, writing: 'With broken hearts and devastated, we want to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, to all his teammates, friends, and to CD Tenerife. Rest in peace.'

Football clubs across Spain, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, have led tributes following the news of the death.

'Our thoughts and support are with his family, friends and loved ones during these difficult times,' Barcelona said in a statement.

Real Madrid also expressed their condolences, stating: 'Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences and affection to his family, his teammates, his club, and all his loved ones.'

The Spanish Footballers Association also released a statement, expressing its 'deepest sorrow' at the footballer's death.

It read: 'His loss leaves a huge void among those of us who shared his passion for football, his commitment to the footballers' community, and his work defending the rights of our fellow professionals.

'The Board of Directors, all the staff of AFE, and the footballers' community wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones, as well as to his teammates at Club Deportivo Tenerife. In these moments of immense sadness, we send them all our love, support, and solidarity. You will always be part of our family.'

De Miguel joined Tenerife in 2025 and scored 11 goals in 30 appearances to help secure the team promotion from the Spanish third division as champions.

The forward had previously helped to secure Internacional de Madrid and CD Castellón promotions from the fourth and third divisions, respectively.

CD Castellon also released a statement on Tuesday morning in tribute to their former player, saying: 'With broken hearts and inconsolable grief, Club Deportivo Castellón bids farewell to Jesus De Miguel.

'Words fail to express the profound injustice of this loss. He wore this shirt with pride, celebrated goals with our fans at the SkyFi Castalia stadium, and was an integral part of a story that this fanbase will never forget. 

'We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, offering them our heartfelt support during this difficult time. We also join CD Tenerife and its fans in mourning, sharing this sorrow with them. You will always be one of us, Demi. Rest in peace.'