In the 2026 CFA China Team ยท Chongqing International Football Tournament held on October 2, the Chinese men's football team lost 0:5 to the Palestinian team. According to media reports, Palestinian player Uday Dabagh made a gesture with his thumb pointing down after scoring a goal in the first half.
On October 3rd, Dabagh updated his social media platforms, expressing his apologies for his actions and providing clarification.
Dabagh posted a message on social media in both Chinese and English: "I would like to clarify the celebration I performed after scoring a goal against the Chinese team yesterday. This celebration is just a way of celebrating that I have also done before, and it has nothing to do with disrespecting the Chinese national team, players, or the Chinese people. I understand that this action may be interpreted differently by everyone. If it led to misunderstandings or made anyone feel disrespectful, I sincerely apologize. This was definitely not my intention."
Simultaneously, I also wish to express my gratitude to China for its enthusiastic welcome, attentive reception, and friendly treatment. My experiences here have filled me with gratitude, and I have always held respect for both China and the Chinese people. Thank you for your understanding and respect. This is what Dabadge wrote.
In the match on the 2nd day, Dabagh scored 1 goal and made 1 assist, becoming the most impressive player for Palestine. The 27-year-old currently has a valuation of 1.8 million euros, which is the same as that of Wang Yudong, the highest-paid Chinese male footballer.
