New footage has shed light on the heated moments before goalkeeper Jesus Owono made the “reckless” challenge that preceded the death of Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel.
Owono, who plays for FC Andorra, collided with De Miguel late in Monday’s fiercely contested 2-2 draw in Spain’s second tier. Both goalkeepers were shown red cards during the match.
De Miguel collapsed immediately after the impact, with Owono’s knee appearing to strike the forward in the chest. De Miguel died in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
A homicide unit is investigating the incident. Court officials said any death “not resulting from natural causes” automatically prompts a judicial inquiry, while police are also examining the medical assistance provided after the collision.
Footage recorded from the stands has now offered a closer look at Owono’s conduct in the build-up to the fatal challenge.
The video appears to show Owono running to the opposite end of the pitch to join a confrontation after the red card. He then seemed to signal to Tenerife goalkeeper Dani Martin, who had also been dismissed, to leave the field.
New footage shows the heated moments before the challenge involving Jesus Owono that preceded the death of Jesus de Miguel, including an apparent argument between Owono and his opposing goalkeeper. (Source: X/Eldense_)
Supporters have discussed Owono’s involvement in an exchange with opposing goalkeeper Dani Martin, who was sent off late in the match. (Source: X/Eldense_)
Martin and Owono appeared to continue their argument, trading gestures as the Tenerife goalkeeper moved away from the scene.
The footage also showed Owono celebrating wildly after Andorra scored an 88th-minute equaliser. He jumped into the air and punched his fist in celebration.
“Here are the images from before the action involving goalkeeper Owono, in moments when he is not the focus—in one, he confronts and says things to the opposing goalkeeper, and in another, he celebrates the goal directly in front of the Tenerife fans,” one supporter wrote.
“He is a repeat offender when it comes to this type of behaviour.”
Another fan said: “No one among those of us in the stadium disagreed that the challenge was reckless. It was an assault. Clearly, he did not intend the final outcome, but it is equally clear that this was not an isolated incident.”
A third supporter posted: “I was directly behind that goal. Owono was completely unhinged. He came all the way to the opposing goal to confront Dani, the Tenerife goalkeeper, over Lautaro’s red card, then began gesturing wildly for Dani to leave the pitch after being sent off. He was completely out of control.”
Former Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares said on El Partidazo de COPE that he believed Owono had used “excessive force” in the challenge.
However, Canizares also offered some context, suggesting Owono’s actions may have reflected a goalkeeper’s instinct to use the knee for protection and to avoid a collision.
“It is a goal-scoring opportunity, and what Owono has in his head is: ‘I have to challenge for that ball,’ whether it is the ball or the player,” Canizares said.
De Miguel died on Tuesday morning after a devastating collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono.
The striker was struck in the chest by Owono’s raised knee as he attempted to clear the ball near the halfway line.
“For me, the problem is that Owono uses excessive force and does not have the physical dexterity to pull back once he realises he has won the duel.”
‘He goes all out and goes all out until the end. That physical dexterity is key when only one of the two is contesting.
‘What happens in this case is that I think the momentum causes the knee to rise due to the force and excessive speed it brings.’
Andorra FC defender Lautaro Spatz has also defended his team-mate, writing that the goalkeeper has been ‘deeply affected’ by the tragedy.
‘There are moments when football loses its meaning. Moments that mark you forever and make you realise how fragile life can be,’ Spatz wrote in a statement shared on social media.
‘What we went through is something none of us will ever forget. A tragedy that has left us completely broken, speechless, and with a sadness that is difficult to explain.
‘First and foremost, I want to express my deepest condolences and all my love to Jesús’s family, friends, and loved ones, as well as to the entire Tenerife community and the entire football family. Since yesterday, the entire FC Andorra squad has been shocked, devastated, and deeply affected by what has happened. It is a tragedy we never imagined we would experience on a football pitch,’ he said.
‘I also want to say a few words to my teammate, goalkeeper, and friend, who is deeply affected by what happened. Those of us who know him know the kind of person he is. We know how much he is suffering right now and that he would never intend to hurt anyone.
‘In football, unforeseen events occur, but no one can imagine that one of them could end with such tragic consequences. Today, football doesn’t matter. All that remains is to offer our condolences, show the utmost respect, and send all our strength to the family and to all those suffering this terrible loss. Rest in peace, Demi.’
Police investigating De Miguel’s death are now probing the emergency medical response as well as the possibility rival goalie Jesus Owono’s horror tackle could be involuntary manslaughter.
It emerged yesterday homicide squad officers based in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz had launched a probe as court officials explained any death ‘not resulting from natural causes’ automatically triggers a judicial investigation.
Legal experts have said they don’t expect the ongoing investigation to lead to criminal charges against Andorra FC goalkeeper Owono because the clash occurred during open play, although he is expected to be hit with a lengthy ban.
But overnight it emerged the police probe will also review the medical response to Monday’s emergency and seek to address questions about whether Jesus de Miguel was given oxygen on the pitch and whether a defibrillator was used from the outset as well as issues around the assistance he received during his ambulance transfer.
The 30-year-old father-of-one died yesterday morning at Nuestra Senora Candelaria University Hospital after his second-division club revealed his neurological condition had worsened.
Medical personnel involved in the footballer’s care are expected to be questioned and detectives will sift through medical reports as part of the probe.
Police investigating the death of CD Tenerife footballer Jesus de Miguel are probing the emergency medical response
Legal experts have said they don’t expect the ongoing investigation to lead to criminal charges against Andorra FC goalkeeper Owono
Well-placed sources told local press overnight there were ‘certain discrepancies within the reports, or potential inaccuracies when compared to other evidence in the case’ such as video footage recorded and posted on social media.
Respected island newspaper El Dia said: ‘Among the issues currently under investigation, which according to sources remained unresolved as of yesterday, is whether the medical team who rushed from the sidelines to the centre of the pitch carrying a stretcher, a spinal board, and an Automated External Defibrillator to attend to the player, acted with due diligence during the more than six minutes they spent on the pitch before placing him on the spinal board for transport to an ambulance, which was stationed at one of the stadium access gates on La Mutine Street.’
It added: ‘Investigators are also looking into an even more striking question.
‘After a Guedel airway, a curved, semi-rigid oropharyngeal tube, was inserted into the player’s mouth following his loss of consciousness, to prevent his tongue from obstructing his airway, was he also provided with oxygen during the resuscitation efforts on the pitch, as is required by protocol?
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‘According to sources, efforts are still underway to gather all available evidence to determine whether De Miguel was administered oxygen, either via a bag-valve mask (Ambu bag) or a face mask connected to one of the oxygen cylinders kept pitchside at the stadium.
‘Sources indicate that this remains unresolved, at least regarding the medical care provided on the field of play.
‘Furthermore, footage of the player being transported on a spinal board suggests that oxygen was not being administered during that process.
‘Additionally, during the evacuation from the centre of the pitch to the ambulance, the player was carried on a spinal board by individuals who were moving at a jog.
Tributes have been paid to De Miguel outside the entrance to Tenerife’s stadium
‘The manner in which the patient was transported, which should never have been carried out in such a way, was highly dangerous to their physical well-being.’
Equatorial Guinea international Owono, who has lived in Spain since he was eight, was red-carded for kneeing Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel in the chest near the halfway line late into stoppage time. The match was suspended when the two sides were drawing 2-2.
Tragic Jesus, whose partner Maria and one-year-old daughter Carla were watching from the stands, was reportedly revived by paramedics on the pitch after going into cardiac arrest before being rushed to hospital.
His club confirmed around 9.30am local time yesterday morning he had died at a hospital in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz about 8am, saying they were ‘heartbroken’ and had a ‘lump in their throats’.
It said in a statement, after revealing earlier the footballer’s neurological condition had worsened: ‘Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats, and unable to believe this is true, CD Tenerife announces the tragic passing of Jesus de Miguel Alameda, which occurred this Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 8am.
‘There are no words of comfort, there is absolutely nothing that can alleviate this profound sense of sorrow.
‘We stand with his devastated family, his loved ones, and the entire ‘tinerfeñismo’ community, who today mourn this cruel outcome.
‘Jesus de Miguel’s family expresses their gratitude for every single gesture of support received, and they also earnestly request the utmost respect for their privacy during these terrible times.’
Owono is reportedly intending to apologise directly to de Miguel’s family for his challenge and has made his social media private following abusive chants and messages he received (Source: Instagram/Jesus Owono)
Owono is reportedly seeking to apologise to Jesus de Miguel’s family before making any kind of public statement.
FC Andorra, reacting to news of the Tenerife striker’s death in hospital, said yesterday morning: ‘Heartbroken and devastated, we wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, all his colleagues and friends, and to CD Tenerife.
‘May he rest in peace.’
Later today Jesus de Miguel’s body is expected to be flown to the Spanish mainland so his funeral can take place in the town where his parents hail from.
The 30-year-old footballer’s mum and dad travelled to Tenerife after being told about the severity of his injuries before confirmation this morning he had died in an island hospital.
They will now make the reverse trip to Madrid before travelling to Navahermosa in the province of Toledo 80 miles south-west of the Spanish capital which they have chosen as the place for the player’s funeral.
Jesus’s club revealed the location yesterday afternoon but said it was unable to say at this stage when exactly it would be.
Town hall officials in Navahermosa, which has a population of just over 3,500 inhabitants, said immediately after learning of the footballer’s death: ‘Since yesterday, we had held onto the hope that Jesus might overcome the toughest match of his life. However, we woke up today to the worst possible news.
‘On behalf of the town hall, we wish to express our deepest sorrow at this tragic outcome. We want to extend all our love, support, and affection to his family, friends, and everyone who is feeling this loss today.
‘There are no words that can ease such profound pain, but please know that we are by your side and that we share in your sadness.
‘Jesus, you have always been, and will always remain, a source of pride for us.
‘Today, with broken hearts, we must say goodbye, but we will hold onto your memory. Rest in peace.’
Emiliano Garcia-Page, president of Spain’s Castilla-La Mancha region which includes Navahermosa and the province of Toledo where a train crash last Wednesday claimed the lives of 69 people, added in his own statement: ‘I am at a loss for words; the passing of footballer Jesus de Miguel, while doing what he loved most and what he had fought so hard for, playing football, is heartbreaking news.
‘My thoughts are with his family, who hail from the municipality of Navahermosa in the province of Toledo. My deepest condolences.’
The entire CD Tenerife squad will travel to Navahermosa to pay their last respects to their teammate.
Flags outside the town hall flew at half mast today.
The National Police in the island capital Santa Cruz has yet to release an official statement about its ongoing probe.
A minute’s silence was held before Champions League matches in memory of De Miguel on Tuesday
But a force spokesman said yesterday evening: ‘An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the incident which led to Jesus de Miguel’s death which is being conducted by the homicide unit.
‘It has been opened because the death was not the result of natural causes and it will seek to determine whether in terms of the law, an involuntary manslaughter could have been committed.’
The report police draft as a result of their probe will be submitted to a local judge whose job it will be to decide whether to take the matter further.
A Canary Islands court source described the collision between the two footballers as ‘an accidental collision on the playing field.’
But he added: ‘Any death not resulting from natural causes, referred to as a ‘forensic death,’ whether due to an accident or other factors, automatically triggers a judicial investigation, which is the case here.’
Court officials said this morning they weren’t able to comment on when they expected to receive the police report into the drama.
One said: ‘At the moment the investigation is still in the hands of police who will submit their report to a court in Santa Cruz once officers have completed their work.’