Spanish footballers have called for all weekend matches to be postponed following the death of Jesús de Miguel, a forward for Tenerife. The Spanish Footballers’ Union, Asociación de Futbolistas Españoles (AFE), made the appeal on Thursday, stating players across all divisions are emotionally and psychologically unprepared to compete.
The incident occurred during a match when de Miguel suffered a fatal injury after colliding with another player. His family and teammates are set to attend his funeral on Thursday in Nava Hermosa, Spain. The AFE emphasized that the decision to suspend fixtures is a collective one, with players from various leagues expressing solidarity.
This is not the first time Spanish football has faced such a crisis. In 2023, a similar call for match suspensions followed the death of a player during a game. The AFE has previously advocated for improved safety protocols and mental health support for athletes.
The incident has sparked renewed discussions about player safety and the psychological impact of high-stakes competition. While no official decision has been made on rescheduling matches, the pressure from players continues to grow. The situation highlights ongoing concerns within the sport about balancing competition with player well-being.
