Questions arise over on-field care

Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel died Tuesday, one day after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch. The incident occurred during a second-division match in Spain, when he was struck in mid-air by Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono while competing for a high ball.

Medical staff arrived at de Miguel's side 20 seconds after he collapsed. Emergency personnel ran a stretcher to the scene in less than a minute. De Miguel remained on the grass for five minutes before being transported to an ambulance waiting near the field.

Reports conflict regarding where de Miguel received cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Some Spanish media state he received CPR in the ambulance and regained a pulse. Other outlets report he received CPR on the field. It has not been determined whether a defibrillator was used during the initial response.

Elvira Gonzalez, president of Spain's Association of Nurses, Emergency Medics and Caregivers, said her organization is seeking clarity on the timeline. She noted that medical procedures must adhere to international standards. "There is contradictory information," Gonzalez said. "The first thing we need to know is where and when he supposedly recovered a pulse."

Gonzalez emphasized that CPR should begin immediately and that defibrillator use is essential. She stated that a patient can only be moved once a pulse is restored. The Spanish soccer federation requires home teams to have a doctor on site and an ambulance equipped with life support, including a defibrillator, ready for use.

Spain's National Police opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter. Investigators are assessing whether Owono's challenge exceeded the normal course of play. Some local media suggest the probe may also examine the immediate medical treatment provided at the stadium.

Rayco Garcia, Tenerife's largest shareholder, said the medical team followed protocol and acted quickly. He stated that he wants to know if any factors could have prevented the tragedy. Garcia added that the club's medical service did not order the ambulance to enter the field for evacuation.

De Miguel is survived by his wife and one-year-old daughter, who attended the match. Owono said through his club that he feels immense pain over the loss. The team plans to travel to Toledo for a funeral, which Garcia says is tentatively scheduled for Thursday.

La Liga did not respond to a request for comment on emergency protocols. Fans left flowers at a makeshift shrine outside the stadium. Teams across Europe paid tribute to de Miguel before Champions League matches on Tuesday.