COVID-19: Former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel leaves Turkish club over virus outbreak

‘Titles are not won in the grave’ – Pascal backs Mikel’s Trabzonspor exit decision

Obi Mikel

Former Chelsea and Nigerian football player, John Obi Mikel, and his Turkish club Trabzonspor, have parted ways, after Mike refused to play in Turkey's Super Lig amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The 32-year-old player's contract was revoked after he posted on Instagram that he was no longer comfortable to play for Trabzonspor until the Covid-19 outbreak was over.

The Ex-Chelsea star had calls for Turkish season to be cancelled amid coronavirus outbreak

"There is more to life than football," Mikel posted on Instagram.

"I do not feel comfortable and don’t want to play football in this situation," he added.

"Everyone should be home with their families and loved ones in this critical time. [The] season should be cancelled as the world is facing such turbulent times."

Super Eagles coordinator Patrick Pascal has thrown his weight behind John Obi Mikel’s decision to leave Trabzonspor amid coronavirus fears.

The Turkish Super Lig outfit announced on Tuesday evening the ex-Chelsea player parted ways by mutual consent. This came days after the 32-year-old disclosed he does “not feel comfortable” playing amid the ongoing pandemic while calling on authorities in Turkey to cancel the rest of the season.

The ex-Nigeria international has lauded the midfielder’s choice to part ways with the Black Sea Storm in the heat of Covid-19