Tragic Loss Off the Pitch: Beloved 76-Year-Old Football Fan’s Sudden Passing Sparks Outpouring of Grief in Jiangxi
Gui Erniu, a Devoted Chinese Football Fan, Passes Away at 76
On September 6, the Xunyang District Football Association of Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, announced the passing of Gui Erniu, a renowned football fan and Beijing Olympic torchbearer, who died of illness at the age of 76 on September 5.
Gui Erniu was a passionate Jiangxi football fan whose love for the sport had a profound impact on fans across the country. His dedication to the sport was evident in his actions, including smashing a 17-inch black-and-white TV and jumping into the Yangtze River in 1985 after the Chinese team’s defeat in a game. In 2004, he cycled 1,870 kilometers to Beijing to cheer for the Chinese team in the Asian Cup final.
Gui Erniu’s unique style of cheering, which included wearing a red horn hat, painting red on his left face, and writing big red words on his right face, made him a recognizable figure among fans. When cheering for the Chinese football team, he would often write the word “China” on his face.
According to Zheng Tian, secretary general of Jiujiang Xunyang District Football Association, Gui Erniu was a kind-hearted person who loved football and often supported local team games. “He was the loudest person in the stadium,” Zheng Tian said, recalling Gui Erniu’s enthusiasm for the sport.
Zheng Tian remembered visiting Gui Erniu in the hospital on September 5 last year, where he expressed his desire to continue cheering for Chinese football once he recovered. ”I was very sad to hear the bad news yesterday. He was very important to us football people,” Zheng Tian said.
Gui Erniu’s passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans, who remember him for his unwavering dedication to the sport. His greatest hope was for Chinese football to become a strong and competitive force on the international stage.
Despite speculation surrounding the timing of his death, which coincided with the Chinese national football team’s 0-7 loss to Japan in the World Cup qualifiers, Jiangxi Lushan Football Club has clarified that Gui Erniu’s passing was due to illness and unrelated to the team’s performance.