According to reports, Chinese football fans were furious with Zhejiang FC’s decision to proceed with their league match just hours after the death of Aaron Boupendza, the Gabonese striker of the team, as well as the players’ goal celebrations during the game, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Despite Boupendza’s death earlier that morning due to a fall from height, Zhejiang FC, based in Hangzhou, decided to play their Chinese Super League match against Meizhou Hakka on Wednesday afternoon at their home stadium. This controversial decision upset and angered fans.

One user on Weibo wrote: “Wasn’t this match supposed to be postponed? Why wasn’t it? The Chinese Super League is very amateurish.”

The match, which ended 2-2, was played without the presence of the team’s other four foreign players: Alexandre Edoumba, Jean Evrard Kouassi, Lucas Bosi, and Debis Owusu.

Videos circulating on social media showed players celebrating goals without acknowledging the death of their teammate, despite reports confirming that the squad had been informed of Boupendza’s passing before the match.

Fans in the stadium chanted Boupendza’s name, held up his jersey, and lit their phone lights in tribute. After the final whistle, players and coaching staff approached the stands in a collective gesture of respect.

Zhejiang FC released a statement after the match, expressing condolences: “All members of the club deeply mourn his passing and extend our sympathies to his family. We are fully cooperating with authorities in their investigation.”

Boupendza, who was once linked with a move to Persepolis, died at the age of 28 after what was described as a sudden fall from height. Chinese police later ruled the incident as non-criminal.