Does Andorra goalkeeper Owono face criminal charges?

Spanish police investigating whether criminal charges should be filed against FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono following the fatal collision with CD Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel.

Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel of CD Tenerife died following a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a match. Spanish police have launched an investigation into whether criminal charges of manslaughter should be pursued.

The chief prosecutor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife stated on Tuesday that he considers it "very unlikely" that criminal charges will be filed. Sports law attorney Dolf Segaar said: "If I look at the footage, I wouldn't immediately say this should result in criminal prosecution." He noted that football is a contact sport where participants accept a higher threshold of liability than in everyday life, and that the collision appeared to be an unfortunate coincidence rather than criminal negligence.

Letselschade attorney Lucas Hogeling agreed, explaining that contact, tackles and collisions are inherent to football. However, he noted that the specific circumstances matter — if a player deliberately struck another resulting in death, that could constitute manslaughter. In this case, both players were competing for the ball simultaneously. The context of heightened tensions in the match, with Owono appearing to provoke Tenerife players and staff, could potentially be considered but is unlikely to be decisive.