Jesus Owono has become a global figure overnight after the goalkeeper’s challenge led to the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel.

The 30-year-old died in hospital in Santa Cruz on Tuesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest in the wake of a high challenge by Andorra goalkeeper Owono in stoppage time of Monday’s La Liga 2 game.

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Owono received a straight red card for his challenge and has since received criticism from around the world for his part in the tragedy while local police are reported to have begun an investigation into the incident,

Can a footballer be charged with negligent manslaughter?

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While a severe sporting punishment seems inevitable, many football fans are suggesting that criminal charges should also follow.

Reports in the local media in Tenerife on Tuesday afternoon say The Homicide Group of the National Police in Santa Cruz is already investigating the circumstances of De Miguel’s death.

The death of a player due to an act on the field in the midst of a match is, thankfully, incredibly rare, and there are no precedents established in a tragic case like this.

The question of charges is likely to be determined by whether Owono’s challenge meets the threshold of criminal negligence.

Article 142 of the Spanish Penal Code distinguishes between manslaughter due to gross negligence and manslaughter due to less serious negligence.

Gross negligence, if proven, can carry a prison sentence of up to four years, while the lesser charge carries a fine calculated over three to 18 months.