The report, first obtained by the Spanish newspaper El Día, follows the player’s death on Tuesday, two days after he suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest following a collision during a second-division match.

The incident occurred in the final minutes of the match at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium on Monday, November 2. As de Miguel, 30, pursued a long ball, he collided with Jesús Owono, a 25-year-old goalkeeper from Equatorial Guinea playing for Andorra, who had vacated his penalty area to intercept the play. The impact, which occurred at the 51st minute of the second half, saw Owono collide with the forward using his knee. The impact rendered the forward unconscious, requiring immediate medical intervention on the pitch before he was transported by ambulance to the hospital. He was admitted to the intensive care unit at the University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, where he remained until he passed away on Tuesday at approximately 8 a.m. local time.

Investigation into Emergency Protocols and Tactical Conduct

While the preliminary report suggests thoracic trauma is a cause compatible with the death, officials are awaiting toxicology reports and additional forensic examinations to finalize their conclusions.

The match referee noted in the official report that Owono used “excessive force” during the challenge. Reporting from Folha notes that collisions resulting in death are extremely rare in professional football, with historical instances dating back to the 1931 death of Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson. Owono, who was issued a red card for the challenge, has expressed profound distress regarding the outcome, stating he feels an “immense pain” due to the loss. Other clubs, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, have sent their condolences.

Spanish Football Authorities Postpone Weekend Matches Following Tragedy

The Spanish Association of Footballers (AFE) requested the postponement of all professional matches scheduled for the weekend of November 6–9, citing a lack of psychological and human conditions to compete following the tragedy. The request emphasized that the well-being of the players should take precedence over economic and sporting interests.

In response, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), LaLiga, and Liga F have coordinated a series of tributes under the theme “Always in our memory.” Scheduled events include a semicircular gathering of players and officials at the site of the incident, a minute of silence, and a planned pause at the ninth minute of matches—a reference to de Miguel’s jersey number—to display a commemorative video. These tributes are set to take place across all national competitions throughout the weekend. Players will enter the pitch wearing a special jersey featuring the number 9 and the slogan.

Medical Context of Thoracic Impacts in Athletics

While the autopsy points to accidental thoracic trauma, medical literature distinguishes these events from rarer conditions like commotio cordis. A medical guide reviewed by experts in April 2026 describes commotio cordis as a sudden cardiac arrest triggered by a precise, blunt impact to the chest during a vulnerable fraction of the heart’s electrical cycle, which can induce ventricular fibrillation. Cardiologist Christopher Kelly of UNC Rex Hospital described the phenomenon as a heavy blow landing “exactly in the wrong place and at the wrong time.”

Next Steps for the Investigation

The judge has authorized the transfer of de Miguel’s remains to Toledo, the province where his parents reside. Meanwhile, CD Tenerife has scheduled a memorial event for Saturday, November 7, at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium, providing a space for supporters to pay their respects to the forward, who is survived by his wife and a young daughter. Following the death, Porto player Samuel Omorodion and Como’s Nico Paz honored the forward by displaying messages under their jerseys after scoring in the Champions League. As CD Tenerife stated, the memorial will be an event in the place where, so many times, we shared his dedication, celebrated his goals and lived some of the happiest moments of our recent history.