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Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel died from "accidental chest trauma", according to a post-mortem conducted in Spain, after a fatal collision with a goalkeeper from FC Andorra during their second-division match on Monday. A preliminary forensic report was handed to Judge Eva Esther Juarez Fernandez, who is leading an investigation into the incident.
Further tests will be conducted during the autopsy, which is expected to take place in a specialist lab on the Spanish mainland, while court filings state that final conclusions await lab analysis, a toxicology report and a CT scan performed during his time in hospital.
Spanish outlets Canarias7 and El Dia claim that the Institute of Forensic Medicine has found that De Miguel died from "accidental thoracic trauma."
But chest trauma has been described in the preliminary report as a "cause consistent with the player's death" after colliding with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono in the 97th minute of their match.
De Miguel died at Hospital Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria on Tuesday morning, having been admitted the previous day.
The judge authorised the transfer of his body to Toledo, where a funeral will take place at his family's request.
Owono released a first public statement since the incident and said he "struggles to find the words" and feels "enormous pain".
Owono's statement read: "These are the most difficult days of my life.
"I struggle to find the words, and I find it very hard to process what has happened. I feel enormous pain at the loss of Jesus. I think of him, his family, and all the people who loved him.
"I know there will be many questions to address, and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect.
"But right now, honestly, I cannot think about anything other than Jesus and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus."
Spanish national police have opened what they describe as a "routine" investigation into De Miguel's death.
The incident took place after goalkeeper Owono rushed towards the centre circle to clear a pass and appeared to catch De Miguel in the chest with his knee. He was sent off and the game was subsequently suspended.
FC Andorra defender Lautaro Spatz said that his team-mate "would never intentionally hurt anyone" and described De Miguel's death as "a tragedy that has left us completely broken, without words and a sadness difficult to explain".
The statement read: "I also want to say a few words about my teammate, goalkeeper and friend, who is deeply affected by what has happened.
The post added: "Those of us who know him know the kind of person he is, how much he is suffering at this moment, and that he would never intentionally hurt anyone.
"In football, unfortunate incidents can happen, but no one could imagine that one of them might end with such tragic consequences."
Champions League clubs that played in midweek paid tribute to the 30-year-old with a minute's silence before matches.
Tenerife declared six days of official morning and a memorial service will be held at their Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez stadium on Saturday evening, with supporters invited to attend.
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