Spanish footballer dies after on-field collision; police open investigation

Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter after a football player died following a collision with the opposing team's goalkeeper during a football match in Spain on Monday. 

Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel, 30 on Tuesday died after he suffered cardiac arrest following the on-field collision.

The deceased was challenging for the ball near midfield in the added time of the game when he was struck in the chest by FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, who came running from the opposite direction in an apparent attempt to make a clearance. Owono was shown a straight red card for the incident.

De Miguel initially curled on his knees, clutching his torso for a few seconds, before he fell over onto his back, with his arms falling to his sides.

Owono was walking off the field after being shown the red card but turned around and joined the other players rushing to check on De Miguel. 

De Miguel was taken to a hospital and the match, tied 2-2, was abandoned after the incident.

Spanish Football Mourns Jesús De Miguel After Fatal On-Field Collision At 30 - Dapstrem Media

The club, located on Spain's Canary Islands, said it was "heartbroken." 

Spanish National Police on Tuesday said that an investigation had been opened. Under Spanish law, deaths from non-natural causes, including accidents, are subject to judicial investigation.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui told Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings were unlikely, noting that the collision occurred during play.

Tenerife's largest shareholder, Rayco García, told reporters that De Miguel's body would be transported to Navahermosa, in the Toledo province, at the request of his family. He said De Miguel's teammates and club officials would be present for a "final farewell."

On Saturday, fans will gather at the team's stadium to honor the player, García said.

"We will all join forces and get through this together," García said.

Club president Felipe Miñambres said players and their families would likely need help to cope with De Miguel's death.

"We will need professional help and the help of all of our fans," he said. "They will be feeling the same way that we are feeling today."

The club asked for its league game at Granada on Saturday to be postponed.

Life-threatening injuries from collisions in soccer are extremely rare.

Last year in Spain, a 19-year-old goalkeeper died from head injuries suffered during a collision in a fifth-division match. Colindres goalkeeper Raúl Ramírez had two cardiorespiratory arrests, one on the field and then in the ambulance while being transported to a hospital. He was declared brain dead two days later.

In 2001, Ukrainian goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun died from head injuries sustained in a collision during a match while playing for CSKA Moscow.

Málaga goalkeeper José Antonio Gallardo died in January 1987, more than three weeks after a collision with Celta Vigo forward Baltazar in a second-division game.