Kudus Socres First Ever Career Free-kick To Pay Tribute To Atsu
Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus has scored his first ever career free-kick in their league match against Sparta Rotterdam to pay tribute to his fellow national team mate Christian Atsu who lost his life in the horrific earthquake that hit Turkey.
The referee refused to book Kudus after the player celebrates his 84th minute goal shirt-up in his tribute to Atsu.
According to FIFA rules, it is unacceptable for a fielded player to remove his shirt in the cause of play, to jubilate a goal or by means of expressing any other form of feeling.
Referee Pol van Boekel who officiated the game between Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam chose not to book Ajax player Mohammed Kudus for taking off his shirt to display an inscription in his underwear “R.I.P ATSU”.
On a normal day Kudus was supposed to be given a yellow card but referee Pol van Boekel opted not to book him.
According to Mohammed Kudus in a post match presser, the act was beyond football which he believes the referee made the right call.
"We have football rules but this is beyond football, this is about life and death. 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.", Kudus said.
After eleven days of search, Hatayspor and Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu was found dead following the devastating earthquake in Turkey which has currently killed over 40,000 people.
