Bolton Wanderers' England U21 ace Fabrice Muamba has explained why he rejected the chance to represent DR Congo.
Muamba, 23, is set to win his 32nd cap for England Under-21s when they kick off their European Championship bid against Spain in Herning tomorrow.
And he recalled how his father, Marcel - a political advisor to DRC president Mobutu Sese Soko's government and an obvious target for the rebels - fled to London as a political refugee and was granted indefinite leave of stay by the Home Office.
The ex-Arsenal and Birmingham ace revealed: "Dad was involved in the political situation but he had to move away to come to England.
"He had to help me and Mum get to England. If we'd stayed, they'd have seen us as an easy target to get information. So we had to leave for our own safety.
"My mum, dad and siblings all live in London now. Dad works in central London but knows he can never go back to Congo."
He added: "They have spoken to me about playing for them but I have given it a miss. Sometimes you have got to know what is best for you."
