Emotional Ajax star Mohammed Kudus dedicates wondergoal to Christian Atsu and thanks referee for letting him break rules | The Sun

AJAX star Mohammed Kudus paid an emotional tribute to ex-Chelsea and Newcastle star, Christian Atsu, who was found dead 12 days after a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria.

The 31-year-old's body was tragically discovered buried in the rubble on Saturday.



Tributes poured in from across the football world, with former clubs Chelsea and Newcastle honouring the player.

Atsu's family were at St James' Park for Saturday's game against Liverpool, where a minute's silence was held.

Ghana star Kudus, 22, was next to pay tribute to the footie ace, who most recently had been playing in Turkey for Hatayspor.

Kudus scored a free-kick in the 4-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday.

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And the attacker took off his shirt and displayed "RIP Atsu".

Due to rules, a player who takes his shirt off is usually booked.

However, referee Pol van Boekel decided against booking Kudus, which the Ajax ace says he's grateful for.

Kudus said: "We have football rules but this is beyond football, this is about life and death.

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"The referee told me it's not allowed (shirt removal) but he understands because this is a bigger situation than football.

"A big respect from me to the referee."

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