Spain mourns Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel after fatal on-pitch collision

Mourners gathered in Navahermosa, central Spain, on Thursday for the funeral of Jesus de Miguel, the 30-year-old Tenerife player who died after an on-field collision earlier this week.

The service was held in the town of about 3,000 people where De Miguel's parents were reportedly born. A hearse covered in flowers moved slowly towards the church as dozens of mourners, some carrying candles, walked behind it. The town hall declared three days of mourning, with flags flown at half-staff.

Spain's football community has been left in grief by the death, which has been described as a rare and shocking tragedy in professional football.

How it happened

De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest after colliding with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono while challenging for a high ball during a second-division match on Monday. He died in hospital the following day.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Real Madrid President Florentino Perez joined family, friends and teammates at the funeral. De la Fuente said the game's community "stands united" in grief.

Police have opened a routine investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter to assess whether the challenge went beyond normal play.

Tributes from across Europe

Clubs across Europe have paid tribute to the player, whose death has united Spain's football community, according to Al Jazeera.

The funeral drew mourners from both inside and outside the game, with teammates and supporters joining the family procession through the town. Local authorities marked the loss with the official period of mourning and half-staff flags.

De Miguel was 30. The collision occurred during a second-division match between his club and Andorra, and the goalkeeper involved was named in reports as Jesus Owono.

The investigation announced by police is described as routine and is intended to establish whether the challenge exceeded the normal limits of play. No findings have been reported.

Source: Al Jazeera.