Luiz Diaz's Father Released by Kidnappers - Colombian Football Federation Confirms


The father of Liverpool's Luis Diaz has been released by kidnappers, the Colombian Football Federation has confirmed.

Luís Manuel Díaz had spent 13 days in captivity after being snatched by the guerrilla group National Liberation Army, also known as the ELN, at a petrol station in Colombia near the border with Venezuela.

Luis Diaz's mother was also kidnapped in the incident but she was rescued within hours after police set up roadblocks.

The Liverpool forward and Colombia international scored an emotional late equaliser at Luton on Sunday before revealing a message underneath his shirt which read 'Libertad Para Papa' (Freedom for Dad).

Diaz had returned to Colombia ahead of Liverpool's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest the previous week and missed the Carabao Cup victory at Bournemouth, before informing Jurgen Klopp he would like to be considered available for the trip to Luton. At that point there was an indication negotiations between officials and the radical left-wing rebels had been positive.

Alfonso Diaz, Diaz's uncle, said: "It has truly been an anxious few days, with very great anxiety. I always had faith in God that this had to happen in the best way. Our family does not deserve an outrage of such magnitude."

Diaz is starting for Liverpool in their Europa League game in Toulouse, which kicks off at 5.45pm on Thursday.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told TNT Sportsbefore the game: "It looks like Luis [Diaz] is really happy, thumbs up all of the time so it looks very good but I'm not the one to release anything.

"Timing wise it couldn't have been better."

Asked if Diaz is in a great headspace, Klopp replied: "Yes, you ask him, he wants to [play], so good and he will."

Comments