BARCELONA, Spain – Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible manslaughter after a soccer player died following an on-field collision with the opposing team’s goalkeeper in a second division match. Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel died after suffering cardiac arrest following the on-field collision, his club said on Tuesday. He was 30 years old. De Miguel was challenging for the ball near midfield on Monday when he was hit in the chest by Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, who was running in the opposite direction in an apparent attempt to clear. Owono received a straight red card for the incident, which occurred in added time. The country’s National Police said Tuesday that an investigation had been opened. Under Spanish law, deaths from unnatural causes, including accidents, are subject to judicial investigation. De Miguel was taken to a hospital and the match, tied 2-2, was abandoned after the incident. The club from Spain’s Canary Islands said it was “heartbroken”. The strong collision occurred when Owono ran from his area to the center of the field to dispute a long ball that De Miguel was trying to reach. De Miguel initially knelt, clutching his torso for a few seconds, before falling on his back, 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 running to check on De Miguel. The goalkeeper’s Instagram account, which had almost 30,000 followers, had been deactivated on Tuesday. De Miguel, from Madrid, began his senior career with Leganés B in 2015 and subsequently played for several lower division clubs in Spain. He joined Tenerife last year. Spanish media said De Miguel is survived by his wife and daughter. “There are no words of consolation,” the club’s statement said. “There is absolutely nothing that can alleviate this deep feeling of pain. We are with his devastated family, his loved ones and the entire Tenerife community.” Andorra, owned by former Barcelona star Gerard Piqué, also offered its condolences, along with other clubs, the Spanish Football Federation and La Liga. “We want to extend our deepest condolences to Jesús de Miguel’s family, to all his teammates and friends, and to CD Tenerife. May he rest in peace,” Andorra said in a statement. Piqué said on social networks: “So much sadness. There are no words.” Argentine great Lionel Messi said on Instagram: “There are no words. My deepest condolences and a lot of strength to all his family and friends.” Manchester United and Liverpool came together to offer their condolences on social media. The Spanish soccer federation postponed two Copa del Rey and one Copa de la Reina matches scheduled for later Tuesday. Life-threatening injuries from collisions in football 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 transferred 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 match.___Azzoni contributed from Madrid.___See complete AP soccer coverage here
