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Tenerife’s Jesus De Miguel honoured in tearful tribute by teammates, fans
Thousands gathered at CD Tenerife’s stadium to honour forward Jesús De Miguel, who died after a collision during a match. The emotional tribute brought together his family, teammates and rival supporters, while prompting debate over whether Spanish football authorities adequately responded to players’ grief.
De Miguel’s death was confirmed on Tuesday, a day after he was taken to hospital following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono. The club has pledged to support his 18-month-old daughter financially until she turns 18. Players’ union AFE said footballers across the divisions favoured postponing matches, but only three Segunda fixtures and one women’s match were delayed; other games went ahead with tributes including silences and pauses in the ninth minute.
In short
- Thousands honoured De Miguel at Tenerife’s stadium.
- His club pledged support for his daughter until she turns 18.
- Players’ calls for a wider postponement were not fully met.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Postponing more matches could have given players, staff and supporters time to grieve after a sudden death, particularly when the players’ union said footballers across the divisions favoured delays. A consistent pause would also have recognised the human impact across the game and avoided asking some players to compete while mourning a colleague.
The case against
Authorities may have judged that postponing every fixture would create substantial sporting and scheduling disruption, while tributes during matches could honour De Miguel without halting the wider competition. Decisions may also have reflected practical differences between fixtures and the need to balance players’ grief with clubs’ and supporters’ commitments.
Explained simply
CD Tenerife is a football club from the Canary Islands, playing in Spain’s second tier, known as the Segunda División. Jesús De Miguel was a forward for the club; during a match he collided with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono and was taken to hospital.
The Spanish players’ union, AFE, represents professional footballers and says players across the divisions supported postponing matches after De Miguel’s death. The different responses by clubs and organisers have raised questions about how football should recognise players’ grief, while Tenerife has promised financial support for his young daughter until she is 18.