Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi played 90 minutes in Sunday's goalless draw at Stoke despite knowing his father had been abducted back in his Nigeria homeland.

Mikel's father Michael was seized on Friday but the player insisted on playing in his club's Barclays Premier League opener at the Britannia Stadium.

In a statement, Mikel's representatives Sport Entertainment and Media Group said: 'SEM confirms that client John Mikel Obi's father was abducted in Nigeria on Friday, August 10.

'Thus far no ransom (demand) has been received. Mikel was informed by his manager prior to the Stoke v Chelsea match and decided to play so as not to let down his team and family.'