Chelsea Football Club

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Rafael Benitez

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42440

MIkel upset by threats

10 Feb 2007 - 11:59:00

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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."