Spanish players union seeks weekend postponements as De Miguel funeral held

Spain's footballers' union has requested the postponement of all matches this weekend following the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel. The AFE made its request on Thursday, the day the 30-year-old's funeral was held in Navahermosa, according to BBC Sport's Ben Collins. The appeal extends beyond fixtures that have already been called off.

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The union said players across its membership were united in believing the games should not take place. It described the grief felt by footballers and said they did not believe the emotional and human conditions were in place for competition to proceed normally. The BBC report did not confirm that the request for a wider postponement had been granted.

Tenerife's away match against Granada and Andorra's fixture against Mallorca have already been postponed, along with several midweek cup games. Spanish clubs involved in European competition have, however, played their matches this week. A minute's silence has been held at games in European competitions to remember De Miguel, who joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025.

De Miguel suffered a serious injury during Monday's Spanish second division match against FC Andorra after a collision with goalkeeper Jesus Owono. Medical staff treated him on the pitch before he was taken to hospital, where he died on Tuesday morning. Owono was sent off for the challenge and the match was abandoned. In a statement released by Andorra on Wednesday, the goalkeeper expressed his sorrow and said his thoughts were with De Miguel's family and loved ones.

The funeral took place in his parents' hometown of Navahermosa, in Toledo. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente attended, alongside Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin and former Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho. Supporters had also paid tribute outside Tenerife's Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez, leaving flowers and lighting candles beneath an image of the forward.

A family statement issued through De Miguel's agent, Manuel Hernandez, thanked colleagues, friends, supporters and clubs for their condolences and support. The family said the affection shown for him, and his impact on others, would remain with them. They also asked for privacy for themselves and those supporting them, and for space to mourn in peace.