Hong Kong football player Michael Udebuluzor (left) vies for the ball against Sai Erjiniao of China during the East Asian Cup match between the two sides on July 15, 2025 in Yongin, South Korea. Photo: VCG

Hong Kong football player Michael Udebuluzor came under fire on Wednesday after video clips emerged showing him referring to Chinese national team fans with a derogatory term after the Hong Kong team's East Asian Cup match against the Chinese national team in South Korea on Tuesday.

Udebuluzor was caught in a post-match speech to Hong Kong football fans following the East Asian Cup match, during which the Chinese national team defeated Hong Kong team 1-0. 

He applauded the Hong Kong fans who traveled to Yongin, South Korea, noting that they outnumbered the Chinese mainland fans in the stadium, before using a derogatory term to refer the Chinese mainland fans.

The 21-year-old was supposed to join China League One club Suzhou Dongwu in July. Dongwu has not officially announced the transfer so far. 

According to a report from Hong Kong media on.cc on Tuesday, Udebuluzor has accepted the offer, saying "the club is currently processing the formalities, and the signing will be finalized as soon as possible."

Irritated Chinese fans have been bombarding the social media account of the Suzhou-based club, calling for the team to reject what they call an "ill-behaved player." Some even called the mainland clubs and leagues to ban Udebuluzor from playing in the mainland as a punishment.

The Global Times reached out to the Suzhou club and Hong Kong Football Association for a comment, but neither had responded as of press time.