On August 18, 2026, Shanghai申花 suffered a 0-3 home defeat to Beijing国安 in the 18th round of the league. After the match, three fans harassed a child wearing Wu Lei's jersey, leading to administrative detention. Wu Lei posted a missing person notice, sparking public debate on stadium civility.
The match saw Shanghai申花 trailing 0-2 at halftime and 0-3 by the end. Fans' frustration turned to the child, despite Wu Lei not being present. Commentator Dong Lu defended Wu Lei, citing his 36 goals in 100 national team appearances, but sparked polarized reactions.
Wu Lei's 168 league goals and 2024's 34-goal season highlight his record, yet his national team performance remains controversial. Experts note China's midfield shortcomings (under 10km per game) impact striker efficiency, while club tactics crucially support Wu Lei's output.
The incident surpassed previous fan conflicts, with offenders verbally abusing a child's parent, violating public order laws. The league announced stadium civility checks, but no official statements have been issued. Wu Lei's search remains ongoing, with the national team squad list expected in September.
