BUENOS AIRES, June 17: The coach of an Argentinian top flight side has been released by kidnappers following the payment of a ransom, according to local police here on Sunday.

Daniel Cordoba, who coaches first division side Lanus, was kidnapped by three people on Saturday night while driving.

He was then told to contact the club’s vice-president to ask for 3000 pesos (around 910 euros, 860 dollars). He was released less than two hours later.

The first notable kidnapping of a sports figure in poverty-stricken Argentina was in April when the brother of Argentina’s most popular player, Boca Juniors forward Juan Roman Riquelme, was kidnapped before being released on payment of 170,000 euros (160,000 dollars).—AFP