West Ham's Alvarez denies kidnapping accusation

West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez has denied accusations he was involved in the alleged kidnapping of a film producer in Mexico.

Juan Jose Lopez Ordonez told Mexican publication TV Notas, external that he was forced into a vehicle at gunpoint in the Polanco district of Mexico City in 2024 by the family of Alvarez's former father-in-law Jonathan Toache Bedolla.

Ordonez, who claims Alvarez was not directly involved in the kidnapping but was aware of the plot, says he was commissioned to make a documentary about the footballer's life and was owed £150,000 for the project.

Alvarez, who made his Mexico debut in 2017, issued a statement on his social media to deny the allegations and says he will consider legal action.

"I categorically reject any allegation or attempt to associate my name with events, conflicts, or conduct that are entirely unrelated to me," Alvarez, who is also Mexico's captain, posted on social media.

"Over the past several months, my name and image have repeatedly been used to generate greater media attention around a situation that has nothing to do with me.

"Until now, I had chosen not to respond. However, there are limits, and attributing knowledge, responsibility, or involvement in matters of this nature to me without presenting a single piece of evidence clearly crosses that line."

He added that the media outlets were prioritising "sensationalism" instead of "accuracy and truth" and said he would keep focusing on his family and his career.

Alvarez has made 74 appearances for the Hammers since joining from Ajax in 2023, but has only featured once so far this season, against Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup.