Tenerife mourns striker Jesus de Miguel after fatal match collision

Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel died from injuries sustained in a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during Monday’s match, and fans have been gathering at the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium to pay their respects since his death on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old had become a club favourite after scoring 11 goals in his first season as Tenerife were promoted to the second tier of Spanish football. Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium has turned into a public memorial, with hundreds of people arriving over the past few days to lay flowers, light candles and leave tributes outside gate nine. Bouquets, rosettes sent by clubs from across Spain, prayer cards, photographs, children’s drawings and scarves have been placed around the stadium.

Visitors to the stadium included Lisa and Lee, who travelled from Stoke-on-Trent and attended Monday’s match as first-time spectators of Spanish football. "We never expected something like this to happen," they told BBC Sport, adding: "We knew it was serious when the players surrounded him [De Miguel], but to see players crying and actually praying on the pitch was very emotional." Lee said: "You always expect somebody to pull through," and afterwards: "And then seeing the news the next day, it was just unbelievable." The couple returned on Wednesday to lay a Port Vale shirt among the tributes; Lisa said: "Football has no colours. If it was one of our players, we'd be heartbroken. They're part of your family."

Carlos, a player with Tenerife’s disability side Tenerife Foundation who attended Monday’s match, described De Miguel’s importance to the club and laid a flag at the shrine. "Honestly, there are no words to describe him. He was incredible," Carlos said. "He practically gave his heart and soul for the shirt. He's already a legend at the club because, after all, we were in a very difficult position a few years ago and he helped pull us out of it. Without him, I don't think we would be where we are today." Carlos added that he left the stadium "trembling" and remained deeply affected: "Right now, we're incredibly hurt and very sad. I also want to send my support to his family, who I can only imagine must be absolutely devastated."

Poli Suarez, the Canary Islands' minister for education and sport, said Tenerife was in "complete mourning" and that "Canarian sport has been left devastated." Suarez added: "The club is broken. Absolutely heartbroken." He said the thoughts of everyone were with De Miguel's wife, daughter and wider family and that the government had pledged its support to the club, players and supporters.

Suarez described De Miguel’s relationship with the island and the club, saying: "The loss of Jesus de Miguel is now part of our history. Not only because of the circumstances of his death, but also because of the affection he always showed towards our island and towards his club."

A further public tribute is planned for Saturday at 18:00 GMT, with supporters encouraged to come together. Suarez said: "It will be an opportunity to show our affection and emotion, and to demonstrate our solidarity with the family," adding: "We want to show all our affection for Jesus de Miguel."