Premier League footballer kidnapped, blindfolded and dangled by his legs from top of a cliff by gangsters
Football star's ordeal
A premier League footballer was kidnapped and dangled over a cliff by his legs after refusing to pay gangsters £20,000 for the return of stolen property.
The terrified star was snatched from his bed in the north of England in the middle of the night and driven blindfolded to a remote coastal spot where he was told he would be "dropped to his death" if he didn't pay up.
After pleading for mercy he was hauled back to safety after promising to find the money.
Police are aware but cannot investigate because the scared player has refused to make an official complaint.
Since the kidnap last year, the star who earns tens of thousands of pounds a week has been making regular payments to the gangsters from a well-known Northern crime family.
The player - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was targeted by the underworld mob following a burglary at his £3million home.
After reporting the breakin to police, he later retracted his statement following a visit from the villains who promised to return the stolen goods - thought to include sentimental football memorabilia, medals and trophies - if he paid £20,000.
The player agreed but later went back on the deal. A week later he was dragged from home in the early hours and dangled over the cliff.
A sourc said: "The lad was screaming for his life. He was left in no doubt that if he didn't start paying up he would be taken back to the cliff top a second time and simply thrown over.
"These guys are heavyweights with a top firm. You don't cross them or you pay with your life.
"The police are powerless to take action because the player is too terrified of revenge on him or his family if he dares to file a complaint.
"He is in a hell of a state but feels there's nothing to do but go along with the demands. He has been drip-feeding the gang money for nearly a year but is still waiting to get his property back.
"He has got in too deep and doesn't know how to get out. His club are believed to be aware but he's not spoken to them directly."
Police raced to the player's home four weeks ago after a burglar alarm linked to a police station was triggered amid fears that the gangsters had returned.
It was a false alarm but our source added: "The player is at his wits' end."
The site I found this on reckons it was a Wigan player?
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