UEFA has ordered a minute’s silence before every match it stages this week in memory of CD Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel Alameda, who died aged 30 on November 3 after a collision during a Spanish second-division match on Monday.
The order turns a Spanish club tragedy into a continent-wide tribute, placing the same pause before Champions League, Europa League and Conference League games this week.
UEFA said in a statement that the European football community was mourning the loss of the Tenerife forward, according to reports of its official announcement. UEFA extended its deepest condolences to his family, friends and teammates during what it called an incredibly difficult time, and confirmed that a moment of silence would be observed at all UEFA matches this week in his memory.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said the organisation was heartbroken by the death, adding that it had searched for words and found only silence. Ceferin said UEFA’s hearts and thoughts were with De Miguel’s family, his teammates, everyone at CD Tenerife and all those mourning the loss, according to the statement reported by multiple outlets.
The tribute covers Champions League fixtures on Tuesday, November 3, and Wednesday, November 4, followed by Europa League and Conference League fixtures on Thursday, November 5, according to Bolavip’s report of the schedule. Bolavip also reported that the tribute extends to other UEFA competitions, including the Youth League.
De Miguel died on Tuesday after suffering a cardiorespiratory arrest when he was hit in the chest by the knee of FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono in the 98th minute of a Segunda División match, according to World Soccer Talk. He was treated on the pitch, regained his pulse and was taken to intensive care at a hospital in Tenerife, where he lost his life hours later, according to CD Tenerife as reported by World Soccer Talk.
Clubs across Europe paid tribute after the news, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United among the prominent clubs publicly honouring De Miguel, according to Legit. The Spanish Football Federation also expressed its condolences to his relatives, friends and the club’s supporters, World Soccer Talk reported.
De Miguel, known in football as Demi, built his career through Spain’s lower divisions before making his professional debut at 27, according to World Soccer Talk. He joined CD Tenerife in July 2025 and scored seven goals in the first six matchdays of the season, helping the club win its group and return to the Segunda División, the same report said.
His family has asked for privacy at this difficult time, according to World Soccer Talk. CD Tenerife said there were no words of comfort, the report added.
UEFA has confirmed the silence for this week’s matches, and has not announced any further tribute beyond them. The next fixtures covered by the order are the Europa League and Conference League games on Thursday, November 5.
