The family of footballer Jesus de Miguel, who died after a devastating collision during a match this week, have said his loss has created “a void that can never be filled”.
De Miguel, 30, is being laid to rest in his hometown today after a post-mortem concluded that he died from “accidental chest trauma” sustained when he was struck by a red-card challenge from opposition goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a Spanish second-division fixture.
The Tenerife striker’s grieving father was comforted by mourners at the funeral as the family issued its first public statement since the football tragedy.
It has also emerged that De Miguel’s girlfriend was alone at the hospital when he died and has been affected “very hard” by the tragedy. His father reportedly “started crying” after seeing the collision on television at his bar, then gathered relatives and rushed to Tenerife, although the family did not arrive before his death.
Family spokesman Manuel Hernandez told reporters: “Jesus leaves a void impossible to fill, but he also leaves an enormous memory in everyone fortunate enough to have shared their lives with him.”
De Miguel’s Tenerife team-mates joined mourners at the service at the Tanatorio Santa Lastenia funeral home. His death has prompted an enormous wave of grief, with footballers across Europe paying tribute during Champions League matches this week.
Jesus de Miguel’s father is comforted during the funeral of the 30-year-old footballer
Mourners in Navahermosa gather to remember Spanish footballer Jesus de Miguel
De Miguel’s family released a statement following his death; he is pictured with his sister, girlfriend, daughter and parents (Source: Instagram/martitamig)
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and institutional relations director Emilio Butragueno attended the service at Tanatorio Santa Lastenia
The family added: “We are grateful to everyone who has remembered him, including his team-mates, friends, supporters and the clubs that have offered condolences and stood beside us during this painful time.”
“The love shown for Jesus, and seeing how deeply he touched so many lives, is something we will carry with us forever.”
The Canary Islands High Court of Justice confirmed that it had received the preliminary autopsy report and approved the transfer of De Miguel’s remains.
“The court investigating the footballer’s death, Court of Investigation Number Two of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Court of First Instance, received the preliminary autopsy report today,” officials said.
“The report’s contents remain confidential in order to protect the privacy of the deceased and his family.”
“The court has authorised the transport of the young man’s remains to the mainland for burial.”
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and the club’s institutional relations director Emilio Butragueno were among those who visited the Tanatorio Santa Lastenia funeral home on Thursday.
The post-mortem, released yesterday, listed the cause of death as “accidental chest trauma”, described in the preliminary report as being consistent with the fatal injury suffered during the match.
De Miguel’s close friend Fernando Roman paid tribute to him online and during an interview with Vamos a Ver. He also spoke about the anguish of De Miguel’s girlfriend Maria, who had been watching the game with their one-year-old daughter Carla.
Roman, who plays for Spanish club Talavera, said he had not been watching the match when his girlfriend alerted him that De Miguel had been seriously injured in the collision.
De Miguel died on Tuesday morning after the frightening collision during a Spanish second-division match
Flowers and emotional messages were placed outside Tenerife’s Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium
Roman said he had remained in contact with Maria, who was at the stadium with their young daughter. He revealed that she had been left alone at the hospital and had been “hit very hard” by what happened.
De Miguel’s parents later arrived after travelling to Tenerife when they were told their son was in intensive care.
A neighbour of the family in Navahermosa told Y ahora Sonsoles that De Miguel’s father “started crying” when he saw the collision broadcast at his bar and immediately organised the journey to Tenerife.
Roman told Vamos a Ver: “My girlfriend and I spent the entire afternoon and night speaking with Maria, his girlfriend, who was alone in the hospital.
“I have spoken to her, and you can imagine the state she is in. Right now, the priority is to support the family.
“We want to send our love to his family, to Maria and to his daughter Carla, who is only a year and a few months old.
“It was hard to believe. We had been discussing a trip to Disney with the girls, including my daughter, and then this happened.”
The Canary Islands High Court of Justice also confirmed that the preliminary autopsy report had been received and that permission had been granted to move De Miguel’s body.
Officials said: “The court investigating the footballer’s death, Court of Investigation Number Two of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Court of First Instance, received the preliminary autopsy report today.”
“The contents of the report remain confidential out of respect for the deceased and his family.”
“The court has authorised the transport of the young man’s remains to the mainland for burial.”
Police are examining the emergency medical response and considering whether Owono’s challenge could potentially amount to involuntary manslaughter.
Owono’s raised knee struck the striker in the chest as he attempted to clear the ball
De Miguel was carried from the pitch on a stretcher after colliding with Owono
Close friend Fernando Roman, left, said De Miguel’s girlfriend Maria was alone in hospital before his death on Tuesday. Source: X/@ferroman9
A homicide unit in Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife, opened an investigation on Tuesday. Court officials said any death that does not arise from natural causes automatically leads to a judicial inquiry.
Legal experts do not expect the investigation to result in criminal charges against Andorra FC goalkeeper Owono, since the collision occurred during open play. However, he could still face a lengthy suspension.
Owono issued a statement on Wednesday, saying he was experiencing “enormous pain” following De Miguel’s death.
“These are the most difficult days of my life,” he said. “I am struggling to find the words and finding it extremely hard to process everything that has happened.
“I feel immense pain over Jesús’s death. My thoughts are with him, his family and everyone who loved him. I know there will be many matters to address, and I will face whatever comes with the greatest respect.
“But at this moment, I cannot think about anything other than Jesús and the suffering we are all experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesús.”
De Miguel, a 30-year-old father of one, died on Tuesday morning at Nuestra Senora Candelaria University Hospital after his second-division club announced that his neurological condition had deteriorated.
Investigators are expected to question medical staff involved in his treatment and examine the relevant hospital and emergency-care records.
Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international who has lived in Spain since he was eight, was shown a red card after his knee struck Tenerife striker De Miguel in the chest near the halfway line during stoppage time. The match was abandoned with the score tied at 2-2.