Perginya Tiote dalam bulan Ramadan

BEKAS pemain antarabangsa Ivory Coast Cheick Tiote disahkan meninggal dunia di hospital selepas tiba tiba rebah ketika menjalani latihan bersama kelabnya, Beijing Enterprises.

Kelab liga divisyen dua China itu mengesahkan kematiannya pada usia 30 menerusi akaun media sosial Weibo, semalam mengatakan bekas pemain tengah Twente Enschede dan Newcastle United itu ‘pengsan tanpa sebarang amaran’ ketika berlatih bersama kelab itu.

"Dia dikejarkan ke hospital serta merta. Bagaimanapun segala usaha untuk menyedarkannya tidak berkesan dan disahkan doktor meninggal dunia kira kira 7 malam pada 5 Jun 2017. Kelab itu sudah menghubungi ahli keluarganya," tulis kenyataan itu.

"Sejak menyertai pasukan, dia membuat sumbangan begitu menyerlah kepada kelab dan mendapat pujian kelab, kejurulatih pasukan dan rakan sepasukannya dengan kemahiran cemerlangnya dan sikap profesional.

"Kelab bolasepak Beijing BG melahirkan rasa sedih berikutan pemergian Mr Tiote."

Bekas rakan sepasukan dan pengurus turut menyampaikan takziah menerusi media sosial terhadap kematian pemain Afrika berprofil tinggi itu yang rebah dan meninggal dunia ketika bermain bola sepak.

Tiote seorang pemain yang patuh kepada ajaran Islam dan berpuasa.

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez, who worked with the player for almost a year during his time on Tyneside, led the tributes to Tiote.

He said: “It is with great sadness that I have this afternoon learned of Cheick’s death.

“In the all the time that I have known him, he was a true professional, dedicated and above all, a great man. Our hearts go out to his family and friends at such a sad time.”

Former England manager Steve McClaren, who managed Tiote at Dutch side Twente as well as at Newcastle, also paid tribute.

He told the BBC: “I knew him first as a young player at Twente. He was the toughest player I’ve ever seen.

“On the field and in training he was such a competitor. He wanted to win every game, kick every player and win every tackle.

**the moment which Tiote will always be remembered for by fans was his magnificent 25-yard injury-time equaliser against Arsenal during the famous 4-4 draw with Arsenal at St James’ Park in February 2011.

Born: June 21, 1986

Nationality: Ivorian

Clubs: Anderlecht, Roda, Twente, Newcastle, Beijing Enterprises 

International caps: 52 (1 goal) 

Honours: Belgian First Division (2006, 2007); Belgian Super Cup (2006, 2007); Eredivisie (2010); Dutch Super Cup (2010); Africa Cup of Nations (2015)