Nile Ranger's Instagram Tribute To Cheick Tioté To Be Investigated

Southend United striker Nile Ranger will face investigation by the Ministry of Justice after he paid tribute to former teammate Cheik Tiote on social media, this week.

Two weeks ago. Ranger was handed an eight-month prison sentence for conspiracy to defraud by obtaining bank details and transferring money.

Law states that prisoners cannot use social media, while phones are banned from use.

Image: PA

Now, according to a spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said a full investigation is being carried out. He said: " this="" behaviour="" is="" unacceptable="" and="" we="" are="" working="" to="" get="" the="" content="" removed="" from="" social="" media.="" prison="" also="" investigating.="" "it="" a="" criminal="" offence="" bring="" mobile="" phone="" into="" prison,="" or="" transmit="" sounds="" images="" within="" using="" phone.="" these="" offences="" carry="" maximum="" penalty="" of="" two="" years="" in="" prison."="">the Southend Echo, the former Newcastle United striker will be investigated by the Ministry of Justice. Reports have suggested that it is yet unclear whether it was Ranger who uploaded the post.

Ranger allegedly posted the following picture on his now privatised nilepowerranger Instagram account.

He wrote: "Sad to hear the news about my brother Cheick Tiote. He would go through a brick wall and give you a two footed tackle in training a day before a cup final!

"What a guy though, top man and a professional. My condolences go out to his family."

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said the following about the investigation, via the Southend Echo:

"This behaviour is unacceptable and we are working to get the content removed from social media. The prison is also investigating.

"It is a criminal offence to bring a mobile phone into prison, or transmit sounds or images from within a prison using a mobile phone. These offences carry a maximum penalty of two years in prison."

Earlier this week, Cheik Tiote collapsed during a training session with his team Beijing Enterprises in China. News then emerged that the 30-year-old had sadly passed away.

Tiote's former teammate Demba Ba tweeted the following heartbreaking message after hearing the news:

Tiote started his professional career with Anderlecht in Belgium before joining Eredivisie side FC Twente in 2008, where he spent two years and won one league title and one Supercup.

He made his name at Newcastle, where he made a total of 156 appearances after joining the club in a £3.5 million move in 2010.

Tiote left the club in the middle of of the 2016/17 title-winning campaign, signing for Chinese second tier side Beijing Enterprises.

Image: PA

Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Tiote's family and friends at this tough time.

(H/T: the Southend Echo)

Featured Image Credit:

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_