The Blues midfielder was aware that his father had been kidnapped in his native Nigeria, but agreed to take part in a goalless draw with Stoke.
Michael Obi, who runs an interstate transport company in Jos, went missing on Friday.
Various efforts to make contact with him came to nothing, with his mobile phone becoming unreachable on Saturday.
Mikel's representatives, Sport Entertainment and Media Group, made him aware of the situation, allowing him to make a decision on his involvement at the Britannia Stadium.
A statement from SEM read: "SEM confirms that client John Obi Mikel'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."
Mikel's agent John Ola Shittu praised his client for the character he showed in
turning out against the Potters.
"He is totally devastated. We were not sure whether to tell him before the
game," he told KickOffNigeria.com. "But after speaking to the manager (Andre Villas-Boas) and Mike Emenalo (Chelsea's sporting director) we agreed that he had a right to be informed of such a serious incident.
"He was under a lot of stress but he showed a lot of character and mental
strength to play against Stoke."
Mikel is not the first Premier League player to have a family member abducted in Nigeria.
In July 2008 the elder brother of Everton defender Joseph Yobo was kidnapped in Port Harcourt.
Nornu Yobo was released after 10 days but it was never made clear whether a
ransom was paid.
Source: Team Talk
Source: Team Talk