Former MLS Manager Adrian Heath Recounts Harrowing Kidnap and Ransom Scam in Morocco
Ex-Major League Soccer coach says he was lured by a bogus Saudi job offer into a kidnapping plot and held at knifepoint before escaping captivity
Adrian Heath, the former Major League Soccer manager and ex-professional footballer, has detailed an extraordinary kidnapping and ransom ordeal he endured after falling victim to an apparent job scam linked to a supposed opportunity in Saudi Arabia.
In November 2024, Heath travelled to Morocco believing he was heading to an interview for a lucrative coaching role in the Saudi Pro League when he was instead taken by armed men to a remote town on the outskirts of Tangier.
Once isolated, Heath said his captors threatened him with a knife and attempted to extort a significant six-figure ransom, warning that he would not see his family again if the demands were not met.
The former MLS and English league coach insisted he refused to pay, understanding that doing so could only lead to escalating demands.
As the situation unfolded, Heath’s wife, Jane, grew concerned when regular communications ceased, prompting her to use a location-sharing app to track his whereabouts.
With help from their son, Harrison Heath, a former professional midfielder, and a family friend connected to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York, authorities were alerted to his location and movements.
During captivity, Heath maintained his composure, engaging with his captors while his family and officials worked behind the scenes on a rescue plan.
After several tense hours, one of the kidnappers unexpectedly released him, escorting him to an airport where he quickly caught a flight to Europe.
From there, Heath made his way home to the United States.
He has since spoken publicly about the ordeal, emphasising both his relief at surviving and the dangers posed by sophisticated international scams that exploit high-profile professionals seeking employment abroad.
Heath, now 65, has not taken up another managerial role since leaving Minnesota United in 2023, and the episode has cast a spotlight on the risks inherent in overseas job pursuits when contact networks and verification processes are not rigorous.
The case is understood to have attracted attention from both American and British law enforcement agencies, given doubts that similar scams may have targeted others in the football community.
In November 2024, Heath travelled to Morocco believing he was heading to an interview for a lucrative coaching role in the Saudi Pro League when he was instead taken by armed men to a remote town on the outskirts of Tangier.
Once isolated, Heath said his captors threatened him with a knife and attempted to extort a significant six-figure ransom, warning that he would not see his family again if the demands were not met.
The former MLS and English league coach insisted he refused to pay, understanding that doing so could only lead to escalating demands.
As the situation unfolded, Heath’s wife, Jane, grew concerned when regular communications ceased, prompting her to use a location-sharing app to track his whereabouts.
With help from their son, Harrison Heath, a former professional midfielder, and a family friend connected to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York, authorities were alerted to his location and movements.
During captivity, Heath maintained his composure, engaging with his captors while his family and officials worked behind the scenes on a rescue plan.
After several tense hours, one of the kidnappers unexpectedly released him, escorting him to an airport where he quickly caught a flight to Europe.
From there, Heath made his way home to the United States.
He has since spoken publicly about the ordeal, emphasising both his relief at surviving and the dangers posed by sophisticated international scams that exploit high-profile professionals seeking employment abroad.
Heath, now 65, has not taken up another managerial role since leaving Minnesota United in 2023, and the episode has cast a spotlight on the risks inherent in overseas job pursuits when contact networks and verification processes are not rigorous.
The case is understood to have attracted attention from both American and British law enforcement agencies, given doubts that similar scams may have targeted others in the football community.
