Football supporters across China expressed outrage on Wednesday as Hangzhou-based club Zhejiang FC proceeded with a home Chinese Super League fixture mere hours after the death of Gabon international striker Aaron Boupendza.
Police in Hangzhou confirmed the passing of the 28-year-old, who died after falling from the 11th floor of a building in the city on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities responded to the incident at precisely 1:14 pm and, following interviews and a review of video footage, ruled out the possibility of foul play.
Boupendza had been transported to hospital, though resuscitation attempts proved unsuccessful, police added.
Despite the tragedy, Zhejiang FC went ahead with their scheduled match against Meizhou Hakka later that day. The decision to play prompted widespread grief and indignation among fans, who condemned the club’s actions across various online platforms.
One user on the X-like platform Weibo questioned, “Shouldn’t this match have been postponed?” Another critic on WeChat remarked, “Why didn’t they postpone the match? The Chinese Super League is really very amateur.”
The fixture concluded in a 2-2 draw, played in a subdued environment where none of Zhejiang’s foreign players took to the field. Fans in the stadium chanted Boupendza’s name, displayed his shirt and lit phone torches. Following the final whistle, Zhejiang’s players and staff approached supporters to participate in a moment of collective mourning.
Zhejiang FC’s captain Cheng Jin, visibly affected, found it difficult to address the media post-match. “I’m sorry, it’s not that I don’t respect you. I don’t have anything I really want to say,” said Cheng.
Zhejiang FC’s Spanish head coach Raul Caneda Perez declined to discuss the match during his press conference. Speaking through an interpreter, Perez stated, “There was nothing to say about the game.” He added, “Today is not for talking about football. Football should not be discussed in this context.”
The club released a statement regarding Boupendza’s death following the match, affirming that they were “fully cooperating with the relevant authorities to carry out the investigation.” The statement included condolences: “All the club’s staff send their deepest condolences to his family.”
The Chinese Football Association had not issued a response by the end of the day.
The Gabonese Football Association, through a post on platform X, confirmed Boupendza’s death and wrote, “Aged 28, Boupendza leaves us with the memory of a great striker.”
Gabon’s president-elect Brice Oligui Nguema also shared his sorrow on the same platform, stating, “It is with immense sadness that I learn of the tragic death of Aaron Boupendza, a talented centre-forward who brought honour to Gabonese football.”
