Kidnappers Free Mexican Soccer Star’s Father

The father of star Mexican soccer goalkeeper Jorge Campos was freed unhurt by his kidnappers Tuesday after six days in captivity.

Mexican television stations broke into regular programming to report the end of a drama that shocked a country seemingly grown numb after repeated kidnappings.

As many as eight heavily armed men seized Alvaro Campos, 66, last Wednesday at a sports field named for his son in a southern suburb of this Pacific coast resort.

Tuesday morning, Campos walked up to a police checkpoint outside Acapulco, identified himself and asked for help. He was whisked to the Acapulco federal police office, where he was met by his family and taken home.

Police sources, who insisted on anonymity, said the elder Campos sprained his left ankle when he tumbled down an embankment Thursday trying to flee his captors.

Police doctors who examined him said he appeared tired but otherwise in good shape. The sources said he was not blindfolded during his captivity and was generally treated well.

The younger Campos broke off a team training session in Mexico City and flew to Acapulco to meet with his father.

Asked outside his home if any ransom had been paid, Jorge Campos replied: “I don’t think so.”

Investigators suspect the elder Campos was held captive in Tixtlancingo, high up in the Sierra Madre outside Acapulco. The town is a known stronghold of an activist group linked to the Popular Revolutionary Army rebel organization.

The Campos family supports the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, and the elder Campos had backed its candidate who was elected governor of Guerrero state earlier this month.