A tragic incident occurred during a La Liga 2 game between Tenerife and Andorra on November 2, 2026, resulting in the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel. The 30-year-old player suffered a cardiac arrest after a high challenge by Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono in stoppage time. Owono received a straight red card for his challenge and has since faced criticism worldwide for his part in the tragedy.
Jesus Owono, 25, was born in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, but moved to Spain's Basque Country as a child. He began his football career at Antiguoko, a youth club in San Sebastian, and later joined Real Sociedad. Owono made his La Liga debut with Alaves in January 2022, becoming the first international born in Equatorial Guinea to appear in La Liga. He has represented his country 46 times, playing in several international competitions.
The reaction to Owono's challenge on de Miguel has been widely considered reckless and using excessive force. Owono was standing well outside his area as Andorra piled on late pressure, seeking to complete an unlikely comeback from 2-0 down. When the ball was cleared by Tenerife, de Miguel looked favourite to have a clear run on goal, leading Owono to sprint forward and jump to challenge him in the air.
After colliding with de Miguel, Owono did not turn back to look at his opponent on the ground but immediately began walking towards the touchline, anticipating the red card. However, as he walked off, he turned back as medical staff were beckoned frantically onto the pitch and jogged to join players surrounding de Miguel. Owono remained on the field until he was led away by club officials and down the tunnel.
The Spanish Football Federation's Disciplinary Code suggests a suspension of four to 12 matches for players found to have committed violent conduct during play, resulting in serious injury. An investigation into the events surrounding de Miguel's death will assess the challenge and the context in which it was made before determining the punishment. CD Tenerife confirmed de Miguel's death on Tuesday, stating that he had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Many football fans have suggested that criminal charges should also follow against Owono. Reports in the local media in Tenerife say The Homicide Group of the National Police in Santa Cruz is already investigating the circumstances of de Miguel's death. The question of charges is likely to be determined by whether Owono's challenge meets the threshold of criminal negligence under Spanish law.
The incident has sparked an outpouring of grief and outrage, with some social media users calling for a life ban from football and criminal charges to be filed against Owono. Others have flooded his profile with racist abuse, insults, and comments of "murderer". The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the risks involved in professional football and the need for players to exercise caution and respect for their opponents.
Key points
- The Spanish Football Federation is likely to impose a suspension on Owono, while the National Police investigate the circumstances of de Miguel's death.
- Owono's challenge has been widely condemned as reckless and using excessive force.
- The incident raises questions about the threshold for criminal negligence under Spanish law and potential consequences for Owono.
