Carlos Tevez's dad kidnapped: Gang demand £1million from ex-Man City star

FORMER Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has been forced to pay a large ransom to a gang of kidnappers after his dad was abducted in Argentina.

ABDUCTED: Carlos Tevez's father was kidnapped and held at ransom [GETTY]

It is believed Secundo Tevez was snatched on the outskirts of Buenos Aires yesterday morning and kidnappers demanded £1million as a ransom, according to reports.

The family's lawyer Gustavo Galazzo confirmed the incident, saying three men drove off with him in his Volkswagon car in the suburb of Moron.

Argentinian newspaper La Nacion said the criminals contacted Tevez's family and asked for an initial ransom much lower than the first, not realising who they had kidnapped.

The 30-year-old reportedly spoke to his father and his kidnappers to make a deal for his release.

DANGER: Crime in Buenos Aires and acrossd Argentina has increased as living conditions worsenome [GETTY]

“The kidnappers let Secundo speak briefly on the phone to his family as proof he was alive.”

Argentinian newspaper Clarin reported

Argentine daily Clarin reported: “The kidnappers let Secundo speak briefly on the phone to his family as proof he was alive.”

After an eight-hour ordeal, Tevez's dad was freed and said to be unhurt.

It was later reported that the Juventus star was not forced to pay the full £1million - but could have offered up to two million pesos (£145,000).

The goalscorer was thought to have be travelling to Argentina to help deal with the matter but remained in Italy once the dilemma was over.

Buenos Aires governor Daniel Scioli, a personal friend of the footballer’s, said: “It was a spur-of the-moment thing.

“They’d let him go but saw his surname on his ID card and snatched him again.

“We’re going to try to catch them and jail them.

“I’ve spoken with Carlos. He was going to travel to Argentina but when he heard the good news he decided to stay in Italy.”

HOSTAGE: Ex-Barcelona star Gabriel Milito's dad was kidnapped before [GETTY]

Kidnappings are becoming increasingly popular in Argentina as the country’s living standards continue to drop.

Cristian Riquelme, BROTHER of former Spanish La Liga star Roman, was kidnapped in Argentina when he was just 17.

He was released after his family paid half of a £175,000 ransom.

Former Barcelona star Gabriel Milito’s dad Jorge was also taken in the same year and released only after his family paid nearly £8,000