Police have launched a homicide investigation into the on-pitch collision that led to the death of a Spanish soccer player.

Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, 30, died on Tuesday just hours after receiving a flying knee to the chest from Andorra FC goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who was sent off before the match in Spain's second division was abandoned.

Owono, 25, is reportedly planning to apologize to de Miguel's family. He is said to be 'deeply upset' and has insisted there was 'no intention to cause harm'.

The Andorra goalkeeper was subjected to chants of 'murderer' by the Tenerife fans, who clashed with him as he left the pitch. 

And the Homicide Group of the National Police in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are now investigating what happened during the match.

But other reports suggest Owono is expected to avoid criminal sanctions over the horrifying on-pitch collision, with his challenge likely to only result in sporting penalties. 

In Spain, investigations are typically opened for any deaths not linked to natural causes.

Spanish sports lawyer Miguel Galan said: 'The Supreme Court's doctrine states that excesses during a play are subject to sporting, not criminal, sanctions.'

De Miguel was admitted to intensive care after the tackle. However, Tenerife announced that his condition had worsened overnight and he passed away after entering cardiac arrest.

The striker was treated for over five minutes while his team-mates were visibly distressed, with some appearing to be in tears.

Journalist Iván Alvarez, speaking on COPE radio before De Miguel's death was announced, reported that the goalkeeper intended to apologize to De Miguel's family in person. 

Alvarez added that Owono and Andorra FC had insisted there had been 'no intention to cause harm' and that the goalkeeper had closed his Instagram account after being subjected to 'murderer' chants and messages.

'Some of the people who were at the stadium and some messages I exchanged with players told me it's the hardest thing they've ever experienced on a soccer pitch,' the journalist said.

He added that Owono is 'very upset' and that 'no one would ever think of someone wanting to harm a fellow professional in that way'.

Alvarez continued: 'Andorra emphasizes that there was no ill intent at any point, acknowledging that it was a mistimed outburst, an action that went terribly wrong and, I would say, excessive and violent, but they insist there was no intention to cause harm. 

'Owono, who doesn't appreciate hearing an entire stadium like the Heliodoro chanting "murderer, murderer", has even closed his Instagram account after all the criticism he's received this afternoon.

'His intention is to contact Jesus de Miguel's family or someone close to him personally, when the time is right. He wants to do so privately first, before making any public statement.'

Footage taken from the stands had shown Owono clashing with supporters as he left the pitch. 

The AS newspaper reported that a challenge judged to be an act of 'violent conduct toward an opponent during a game that causes serious injury or harm' is punishable by a suspension of four to 12 games.

De Miguel is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest while being transported to hospital and had to be revived inside the ambulance, according to Spanish media outlet Marca.

Rayco Garcia, Tenerife's majority shareholder, and the club's president Felipe Minambres spoke of their 'unbearable pain' after de Miguel's death.

The club confirmed plans for fans to pay tribute to the striker this Saturday at their stadium, while outlining that his team-mates will receive support following the tragedy.

De Miguel had become a father just last year and, according to El Espanol, his wife and baby daughter were watching in the stands at the time of the fatal collision.