MIkel upset by threats
10 Feb 2007 - 11:59:00
-
- MIkel upset by threats
Chelsea's Nigerian teenager John Obi Mikel has revealed that his family received threats before his country's friendly against Ghana.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho wanted to withdraw the 19-year-old from the match at Brentford's Griffin Park after Mikel suffered a thigh strain in last week's win at Charlton.
But Mikel played in the game and told The Sun: "Fans were threatening my family. They believe I pick the games I play for my country.
"People are still angry that I didn't play in Lesotho for the 2008 African Championship qualifier in October.
"Only a few people know what I have been through at home in the past due to this situation. It was just too much for me to handle or control.
"It's a shame that things turned out this way but only God knows what would have happened to my family if I had stayed away from this game."