John Mikel Obi has left Turkish football club, Trabzonspor due to the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
“The contract has been ended by mutual agreement with John Obi Mikel,” Trabzonspor said in a statement late Tuesday.
According to Channels TV, the deal between the player and the team had begun on June 30 last year and was meant to last until May 31, 2021.
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He criticized the Turkish Football Federation’s (TFF) move to let Super League matches continue without spectators, unlike in other countries where games have been suspended.
Mikel wrote: “There is more to life than football. I do not feel comfortable and don’t want to play football in this situation,
“Everyone should be home with their families and loved ones in this critical time. Season should be cancelled as the world is facing such turbulent times,”
The TFF on Tuesday rejected growing calls for matches to be suspended. Among those opposed to any delay of Super League matches is Trabzonspor chief Ahmet Agaoglu who said any decision to cancel would lead to a rise in divorces.
Turkey confirmed its first coronavirus death on Tuesday as the number of cases in the country increased to 98.