Is it a Rumour? Should it go in Players?

Apparently he had a good game though.

Mikel says his family was threatened

LONDON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel defied manager Jose Mourinho to play for Nigeria this week because of death threats against his family, British media reported on Saturday.

The 19-year-old played the full 90 minutes of Nigeria's 4-1 friendly defeat by Ghana in London on Tuesday despite Mourinho wanting him to rest a strained thigh.

"Nigeria's fans were threatening my family. They believe I have started picking the games I play for my country. People are still angry that I didn't play in Lesotho for the African Nations qualifier last October," newspapers quoted him as saying.

Mikel said Mourinho was angry with him for playing on Tuesday. "I hope I can explain things to him and he understands," he said.

Nice excuse.. seems a bit over the top for missing a match!!

I do not believe a word of it.

Sums up his attitude.

Why would NIgerians threaten the lives of his family if he does not play a FRIENDLY in LONDON which would effectively mean NOTHING!

If it was an African Nations tie or WC Qualifier it may have some credence, but a friendly on a cold night at Brentford (or somesuch)...utter garbage!

I do not believe a word of it.

Sums up his attitude.

Why would NIgerians threaten the lives of his family if he does not play a FRIENDLY in LONDON which would effectively mean NOTHING!

If it was an African Nations tie or WC Qualifier it may have some credence, but a friendly on a cold night at Brentford (or somesuch)...utter garbage!

Well according to Mikel it also had to do with him not playing in the African Nations qualifier.

It's far from impossible that he really was threatened. Stranger things has happened in Africa.

But it should be a simple matter of finding out the truth in this. If the threats were recieved by Mikels family then Chelsea should ask them about this. Mikels father seems to be a fair man so he might not lie about this to protect his son.

If we then find out that this was pure bs then JM wont be happy. I would be surprised if Mikel were allowed to stay in the team after this.