'Threats' forced Mikel to play

Chelsea's Mikel John Obi claims threats made against his family forced him to play for Nigeria this week against the wishes of club manager Jose Mourinho.

The 19-year-old, in "severe pain" following a 75-minute appearance for Chelsea last weekend, went against his club's advice to play the full 90 minutes for the Africans and Mourinho has complained to FIFA as a result.

But the teenager told The Sun: "Nigerian fans were threatening my family back home. They believe I have started picking the games I play for my country."

He added: "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."

The controversial midfielder is now most concerned with salvaging an already strained relationship with the Portuguese - who dropped the player earlier this season after questioning his attitude.

He added: "Was Jose Mourinho angry with me for playing? Definitely. He was totally disappointed in me but I just hope I can explain things to him and then we'll see what happens.

"Hopefully he will understand what I have been through and the severe pressure I was put under.

"There was just too much pressure from the Nigerian football officials and, even though I tried to explain things to them, they refused to hear me out."