Ivory Coast's midfielder Ismael Cheick Tiote controls the ball during a Group C football match between Ivory Coast and Japan at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 14, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle's Ivorian midfielder Cheick Tiote (L) runs with the ball pressured by Cardiff City's Welsh striker Craig Bellamy (R) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Cardiff City at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, northeast England on May 3, 2014. Newcastle United won 3-0. AFP PHOTO / LINDSEY PARNABY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - MARCH 05: Yaya Toure (R) and Ismael Cheick Tiote of Ivory Coast speak prior to the International Friendly match between Belgium and Ivory Coast at The King Baudouin Stadium on March 5, 2014 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Ivory Coast's midfielder Cheick Tiote (L) vies with Nigeria's forward Sunday Mba during the African Cup of Nation 2013 quarter final football match Ivory Coast vs Nigeria, on February 3, 2013 in Rustenburg. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle United's Ivorian midfielder Cheick Tiote celebrates at the end of the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park in Newcastle Upon Tyne, northeast England, on October 19, 2013. The match ended 2-2. AFP PHOTO / IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol,Ian MacNicol/AFP via Getty Images)
