Kidnap gangs target Brazilian footballers' mothers

A wave of kidnappings has rocked Brazilian soccer with the mothers of five players – including all-star strikers Robinho and Luis Fabiano – snatched since November.

“We need to be careful,” Sao Paulo striker Diego Tardelli said. “It’s clear that the kidnappers are after soccer players and their families.”

For years, footballers seemed to be considered off limits to kidnappers. But that changed in November, when the mother of ace Santos striker Robinho was kidnapped from a family gathering.

She was freed unharmed five weeks later, after Robinho paid a ransom.

Since Robinho’s mother was abducted, four other kidnappings have occurred in Sao Paulo state. Last Thursday, the mother of FC Porto striker Luis Fabiano was released after more than 60 days in captivity.

The mother of Corinthians defender Marinho, who was abducted on May 3 in Santos, is still being held captive.

In March, police freed the mother of defender Rogerio, who plays for Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon, three days after she was abducted from her home in Campinas, near Sao Paulo.

A month earlier, the mother of Sao Paulo striker Grafite was kidnapped near Sao Paulo, but freed by police after a day.

Robinho was the only player to pay a ransom. In all other cases, police found and freed the mothers before a ransom was paid.

Nine people have been arrested in connection with the kidnappings, authorities said.