Tenerife begins six days of mourning as Spanish cup ties are postponed

Tenerife will observe six days of official mourning and suspend club activities following the death of striker Jesús de Miguel, BBC Sport reported. The club confirmed that the forward died on Tuesday, November 3, while the Spanish football federation extended the postponement of its cup fixtures as tributes continued across European football.

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The RFEF said Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina matches scheduled for November 3, 4 and 5 would not go ahead. The affected games belong to the first round of the men's competition and the third round of the women's tournament. Its announcement described the pause as a gesture of respect and solidarity.

The federation said revised dates and definitive kickoff times would be announced later. It extended condolences and support to De Miguel's family and friends, Tenerife and the club's supporters. The announcement broadened the suspension to three days, leaving the affected cup fixtures awaiting a new schedule rather than confirming immediate replacement dates.

De Miguel was injured during Monday's second-division match against FC Andorra after a collision with goalkeeper Jesús Owono. According to the BBC, the teams were level at 2-2 in stoppage time when the incident occurred. Medical staff treated the striker on the pitch before an ambulance took him to hospital, and the match was abandoned.

Tuesday's Champions League games included moments of silence. The Associated Press reported that Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Villarreal did not play the competition's usual pre-match anthem at their home grounds. Images of De Miguel appeared on stadium screens as teams and spectators paid tribute before the evening's matches began.

Tenerife's players, staff and officials will attend his funeral in Navahermosa, Toledo, the BBC reported. The club also plans to open its stadium on Saturday evening so supporters can say farewell. Fans had already gathered at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, leaving flowers and lighting candles beneath a photograph of the forward.

In its official statement confirming his death, Tenerife conveyed the family's gratitude for the messages of support it had received. The club also relayed a request for privacy, asking that the family's wishes be respected during its bereavement.