BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — An investigation has been initiated by Spanish police into possible involuntary manslaughter concerning the tragic death of soccer player Jesús de Miguel following a collision during a second-division match. The 30-year-old forward for Tenerife died after experiencing cardiac arrest on the field.

The incident occurred on Monday when de Miguel was attempting to challenge for the ball near midfield. He was struck in the chest by FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, who was running from the opposite direction to make a clearance. The match was tied at 2-2 when the incident happened during stoppage time, leading to the abandonment of the game, and Owono received a straight red card.

The National Police of Spain have confirmed the initiation of an investigation, as Spanish law mandates judicial inquiries for deaths resulting from non-natural causes, including accidents. However, chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui from Santa Cruz de Tenerife indicated that criminal charges are unlikely since the incident occurred during active play.

After the collision, de Miguel was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His club expressed profound sorrow, stating, “We are heartbroken.” The club's largest shareholder, Rayco García, announced that de Miguel's body would be sent to Navahermosa in the Toledo province as requested by his family, and his teammates would join for a “final farewell.” Additionally, a gathering to honor de Miguel is scheduled at the team's stadium on Saturday.

In light of the tragedy, the club requested the postponement of their upcoming league game against Granada and declared a six-day mourning period, suspending all activities for the first team, women's team, and youth sides. Club president Felipe Miñambres noted that players and their families would probably need professional support to handle the emotional fallout from de Miguel's untimely passing.

The collision was described as severe; Owono ran out of the penalty area to challenge for a long ball, leading to the unfortunate incident. De Miguel was seen initially on his knees clutching his torso before collapsing onto his back. Following the incident, Owono showed concern for de Miguel and joined other players in attempting to provide assistance. Subsequently, Owono's Instagram account, which had nearly 30,000 followers, was deactivated.

In a related incident of mistaken identity, Michel Owono, a player at a sixth-division Spanish club, faced racist insults from individuals erroneously believing he was the Andorra goalkeeper. De Miguel, a native of Madrid, had a professional career that began with Leganés B in 2015, and he had played for various lower-division clubs in Spain before joining Tenerife last year. Reports indicate no existing health issues prior to the incident, although the exact medical cause of death has not been publicly confirmed. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Condolences poured in from various corners of the sports world. Andorra, which is owned by former Barcelona star Gerard Piqué, expressed their sympathies, as did other clubs, the Spanish soccer federation, and La Liga. Piqué shared his heartfelt sorrow on social media, stating, “I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesús.” Other renowned players, including Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo, also conveyed their condolences and shared their sadness over the incident.

In wake of de Miguel's death, the Spanish soccer federation postponed all Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina matches scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. UEFA announced that moments of silence would be observed at all matches throughout the week. Such life-threatening injuries on the soccer field remain rare, with only a few documented cases over the years.