Chelsea Star Plays On After Dad Is Kidnapped

Chelsea player John Obi Mikel played in his side's first Premier League game of the season just hours after finding out his father had been kidnapped, it has emerged.

Michael Obi was snatched on Friday in the Nigerian city of Jos, but so far no-one has heard from his abductors.

Mikel was told about the situation before Sunday's game with Stoke but he decided to take to the field after talks with his manager Andre Villas Boas.

In a statement, John Obi Mikel's representatives, Sport Entertainment and Media Group, confirmed he wanted to play "so as not to let down his team and family".

The Chelsea midfielder's agent told KickOffNigeria.com:

"He is totally devastated. We were not sure whether to tell him before the game. He was under a lot of stress but he showed a lot of character and mental strength to play against Stoke."

Mikel is not the first Premier League player to have a family member kidnapped in Nigeria.

The brother of former Everton defender Jospeh Yobo was taken from Port Harcourt in July 2008.

He was released unharmed ten days later. It has never been confirmed whether a ransom was paid.