The ex-Chelsea man, Mikel Obi, is having a torrid time with rival fans in Turkey, with thousands of them directing racist abuse at him and his family.
The former Super Eagles captain broke down in tears during an interview, as he spoke about the abuse directed at him and his young family.
The Trabzonspor midfielder was a victim of racist attacks on social media and had to speak about the situation after his side’s 2-1 win against Fenerbache.
Mikel revealed that it wasn’t just him that was being attacked with the racism, as it had been extended to his girlfriend, Olga Diyachenka, and their four-year-old twin daughters.
“A lot has been said about this – the issue of racism but since I’ve been here, my team and colleagues at Trabzonspor have been very nice to me, there’s not been any issue,” Mikel told Turkish TV.
“After the game on Saturday, I started getting messages on my Instagram, even my girlfriend getting instant messages of racism and hatred.
“Very scary messages towards me and my family and kids. There’s no place for this.
“I don’t think this should be happening and I think these people should be held responsible. They shouldn’t be allowed to come to games.
“I’m very disappointed with this – especially my girlfriend, my family, my kids. They are only four years old, why do you talk about my kids?”
“I am very sad about this, it’s a very disturbing time for me.”
Fenerbahçeliler tarafından ırkçı saldırıya uğrayan Obi Mikel, Erzurumspor maçı öncesi açıklama yaparken gözyaşlarını tutamadı. pic.twitter.com/QD10FxNZIO
— Club Regista (@ClubRegista) February 4, 2020
Trabzonspor, currently 3rd on the Turkish Super Lig table, have thrown their full support behind the Nigerian and condemned the attacks against him.
A statement by the club on Twitter read: “Racism is a shelter for helpless and ignorant. We condemn the racist attacks against our player Obi Mikel after the match against Fenerbahçe and we bring to the public attention that a criminal complaint has been filed against the assailants.”
Mikel moved to Turkey last summer following a brief spell with English Championship side, Middlesbrough. He has been a key member of Hüseyin Çimşir’s set up since his arrival.
