Trabzonspor has slammed their former Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi over comments he made on the club and Turkish authorities handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
Mikel criticised Turkish football authorities in the social media for not suspending the season despite the spread of Coronavirus.
His contract was subsequently terminated and he has promised never to the Trabzonspor as a result of the way he was treated by the club.
“Mikel’s claim regarding our club does not reflect the truth. As Trabzonspor Club, we have taken all our precautions against Covid-19 in a short time,” Trabzon based website 61saat.com reported.
“In line with the information provided by the Ministry of Health, our club’s health committee informed our players. Facilities, fields and our stadium was disinfected. Restrictions were introduced to the facilities, including footballers’ own guests. Staff members were also told to work from home in line with the social distance understanding.”
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“Mikel, unfortunately, preferred to go in spite of these precautions and common sense.
“Mikel said he wanted to be with his family in England.”
The 32-year-old only joined the club as a free agent last summer, having penned a two-year deal.
He made 19 league appearances for Trabzonspor.
3 Comments
_Mikel Moves On (pt1)_
It is rather unfortunate to see it end this way between Mikel and Trabzonspor.
The former Chelsea man had been nothing short of a revelation in Turkey, rolling back the years to put forward performances that further emphasised the quality he presents to any team even at this twilight stage of his career.
The 32 year old former Super Eagles captain, who was having a fine season in Turkey, predictably estranged himself from stakeholders in the Turkish League federation when he refused to take down his social media post that (partly) read: “There is more to life than football. I do not feel comfortable and don’t want to play football in this situation.”
I think there could have been an amicable settlement to the whole matter which was brought about when the Turkish football federation allowed the league to continue amidst the current corona virus outbreak as leagues in other countries were suspended.
However, Mikel refused to delete the post and elected instead to mutually terminated his contract.
“They were really upset about the whole thing.” Mikel recalled recently.
“I was told to meet with the president in his office one-on-one.
He asked me to take it down (his statement). I told him I wasn’t going to do that. It’s my opinion. This is how I feel. We live in a free world. I have freedom of speech. I can express my opinion.” Concluded Mikel.
_Mikel moves on (pt2)_
Had Mikel agreed to bring down the post and perhaps wait for the Turkish Football Federation to take the ‘appropriate action’ when they saw fit, he would still be a Trabzonspor player.
However, around the time Mikel posted his concerns,players from the Galastasaray basketball team also released a joint statement which read: “We appreciate the Turkish government has taken measures to slow down the spread of the virus however we find it quite bizarre that we keep playing, despite it being behind closed doors.
We have seen how hesitation to take extreme action has provoked a spike in cases in neighbouring countries and we believe now is the time to take extreme action.” They concluded.
What was clear to me was that (in his own mind) Mikel Obi put the interest of his family and the society at large at ahead of his football goals when he decided to post his feelings and then refused to bring down the same post on Instagram when asked.
“I wanted to win the league but at this point in time, we have to think about what is more important: to save peoples’ lives.” Mikel recalled.
“I want to help in any way that I can to defeat this virus. For us to be out there playing; I don’t think we are helping the global situation. I don’t feel it is right for us to play football.
I told them I wanted to go home. They said, ‘If you go home, you’re not coming back.’ I said, ‘OK, I’m going home.'” He said.
Mikel is now back with his family; the Turkish League has now been suspended; and Trabzonspor said (in the article above) that they were taking sensible precautions prior to the suspension of the league.
_ What Next? _
The whole world is gripped by the Corona Virus pandemic. The immediate concern now if for everyone to stay safe.
I believe Mikel will be fine.
He is where he ought to be – with his family. Once everything dies down, Mikel should not find it difficult to find a new club.
His performances in Turkey this season shows that there is life yet in this legs of his.
Mikel Obi:
Am always proud of you..
It takes a great mind to take such action.
Push on Bro, you are rising beyond barriers…