John Obi Mikel Breaks Down In Tears During Interview After Receiving Thousands Of Abusive Messages

Trabzonspor midfielder John Obi Mikel broke down in tears while speaking about the abuse he and his family have received on social media.

In an emotional interview, the former Chelsea player spoke about the abuse after the club's 2-1 win against Fenerbache.

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Fenerbahçeliler tarafından ırkçı saldırıya uğrayan Obi Mikel, Erzurumspor maçı öncesi açıklama yaparken gözyaşlarını tutamadı. pic.twitter.com/QD10FxNZIO

- Club Regista (@ClubRegista) February 4, 2020

He identified racism in the messages, and stated his girlfriend Olga Diyachenka and 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." he 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.

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It is sad and unacceptable that in 2020 we're still facing acts of racism and disrespect like this. Football is much bigger than the little people behind these unfortunate acts. #westandwithobi #saynotoracism pic.twitter.com/sh9mYrJNpX

- João Pereira (@jpsp47) February 3, 2020

"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."

The 32-year-old received thousands of qabusive and harmful messages after the Turkish Super Lig fixture, and Trabzonspor have since filed a criminal complaint against individuals who allegedly racially abused Mikel.

The club released the following statement on their official Twitter page.

'Racism is a shelter for (the) helpless and ignorant." it read. "We condemn the racist attacks against our player Obi Mikel after the match against Fenerbahce and we bring to the public attention that a criminal complaint has been filed against the assailants. #WeStandwithObi #SayNoToRacism."

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. #WeStandwithObi #SayNoToRacism pic.twitter.com/QSOgPI9fZ2

- Trabzonspor_en (@Trabzonspor_EN_) February 3, 2020

There is no room for racism in football.