On November 2nd local time, in the 12th round of the Spanish Segunda Division, between Terceira and Andorra FC, Terceira's forward Jesus de Miguel came into contact with Andorra's goalkeeper Jesus Ovalo. After being hit in the chest, de Miguel suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died on the 3rd after efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
This incident shocked the football world. On the 3rd, the Spanish National Police announced that they had launched an investigation into the matter as a possible homicide. However, Spanish legal experts believe that Ovano is unlikely to face criminal prosecution due to this accident.
The accident occurred in the injury time of the game, when both teams were tied 2-2. While battling for possession near the midfield, Demigol was hit by Ovono, who had rushed out of the penalty area to try to stop the opponent. Demigol collapsed due to a cardiac arrest, and the referee immediately stopped the game. Ovono was sent off with a red card from the referee.
Demigol was rushed to the hospital after receiving emergency treatment on the field. The Spanish newspaper El País reported that he regained a heartbeat on the ambulance, but he died due to ineffective medical efforts. On the morning of the 3rd local time, Tenerife Football Club confirmed Demigol's death.
On November 2nd, local time, a player from the Terceira club in the Segunda División league, Demiguel, collided with the opposing goalkeeper and fell to the ground. Visual China
After the game, the referee who officiated this match, Manuel Angel Perez Hernandez, wrote in his report: "At the 90+6 minute mark of the game, player Jesus Ovo was sent off for the following reason: While the ball was under dispute, he kicked the opponent with excessive force. The player received treatment on the field and was then carried off the field on a stretcher."
The 13th round of the Western League will begin later this week, but both Tenerife and Andorra have applied to postpone their matches. The committee responsible for evaluating this situation must make a decision within the next few days. Industry experts told the National newspaper that Ovono could face a maximum suspension of 12 matches.
In legal terms, Miguel Garland, an expert in Spanish sports law, cited a previous ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court to explain this: 'The principle of the Supreme Court is that excessive behavior during competitions should be punished in accordance with sports regulations, rather than criminal law.'
San Cristóbal de Tenerife Chief Prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Huerga also stated that Ovono is unlikely to face criminal proceedings due to this matter.
However, according to Spanish law, any unnatural death, including deaths caused by accidents, must be subject to judicial investigation. The Spanish National Police announced on the 3rd that a murder investigation has been launched into this matter.
According to Spanish newspaper 'Diario Deportivo', from a legal perspective, serious injuries do not automatically constitute a crime. However, the Spanish Criminal Code allows for accountability when it can be proven that an action has exceeded the inherent risks of sports activities. To apply this provision, it must be demonstrated that the player seriously violated their duty of care, and there is a causal relationship between their actions and the resulting consequences.
In the case of Ovono, it is crucial to analyze the video footage, the position of the ball, the way he jumped, and whether there are any practical ways to avoid the collision. Medical and forensic reports regarding the consequences of the collision are also very important.
