News of Cheick Tiote's death has shocked the football world this week.
A statement from his club, Beijing Enterprises Group FC, confirmed that the 30-year-old passed away on Monday, an hour after collapsing during a training session.
The cause of Tiote's death is yet to be officially announced, with his club understood to be waiting for the Ivorian's family to travel to Beijing before any more information is released.
Tiote is well known to fans of English football for his time with Newcastle United. Having joined the club from FC Twente in 2010, he spent seven years with them, leaving St James' Park for China earlier this year.
https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/871757989639847937
The club have already expressed their sadness at the news and now Newcastle supporters have started a petition (which can be reached by
clicking here) calling for the club to retire the number 24 shirt he wore during his time in the North East.
'In the light of the legend's death, the shirt number should be retired in honour of his life,' the petition explains. 'A Newcastle legend taken too soon.'
The petition's creator has promised to deliver the petition to the club.
Following news of Tiote's death, his club had requested to postpone their next fixture against Meizhou Hakka. However, the
BBC now report that head coach Gao Hongbo has revealed the request has been rejected by the opponents.
"We hope the [Chinese] FA would offer some help to postpone the match on Saturday," he added.
