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11/05 10:09 CST Spain soccer coach and Real Madrid president at funeral of
player who died after collision
Spain soccer coach and Real Madrid president at funeral of player who died
after collision
By ALICIA LE0N and JOSEPH WILSON
Associated Press
NAVAHERMOSA, Spain (AP) --- Spain's national soccer coach and the president of
Real Madrid joined the family and teammates of Jess de Miguel on Thursday at
his funeral after the Spanish player died following an on-field collision.
The 30-year-old De Miguel died on Tuesday, a day after he suffered cardiac
arrest following a collision with an opposing goalkeeper during a
second-division game.
De Miguel's Tenerife teammates traveled from the Canary Islands and were among
the hundreds who attended the funeral.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, Real Madrid president Florentino Prez and the
president of the Spanish soccer federation were also there.
"It is with deep sorrow and genuine emotion that we offer our condolences and
our respect," De la Fuente told reporters before the service. "It is the best
way to show that the soccer community stands united, by sending a very warm
embrace to all his loved ones."
The funeral car draped with floral arrangements arrived slowly to the church in
the town of Navahermosa in central Spain. Dozens of people walked behind, with
several carrying candles. After the funeral mass, pallbearers carried De Miguel
to the local cemetery.
His parents were reportedly born in Navahermosa, less than two hours south of
Madrid. The town of some 3,000 inhabitants declared three days of mourning with
flags at half mast at the town hall. De Miguel was born in Madrid. He spent his
playing career in lower-tier Spanish clubs before helping Tenerife earn
promotion to the second division last year.
His family issued a statement thanking all those who expressed their
condolences, while also asking for their privacy to be respected.
"We need to mourn with the tranquility that this situation requires," the
family statement read. "Jess leaves a void that is impossible to fill, but
also an immense memory in all of us who were fortunate enough to share our
lives with him."
On Monday, De Miguel was not looking when Andorra goalkeeper Jess Owono
crashed into him while disputing a high ball late in the game. De Miguel
collapsed to the turf. Medical workers attended to him for five minutes before
carrying him to an ambulance.
Owono has expressed his remorse for the incident and offered his condolences to
De Miguel's family, which includes his wife and 1-year-old daughter.
Spain's National Police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary
manslaughter --- a standard procedure for a non-natural death. Investigators
are expected to assess whether Owono's challenge went beyond the normal course
of play.
His rare death resulting from an impact in a game has stunned the world of
soccer. Messages of condolences poured in from European clubs and tributes were
dedicated to De Miguel during this week's Champions League games.
___
Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain.
___
See AP's full soccer coverage here
