The father of Liverpool’s Luis Diaz has been released by kidnappers on Thursday.
This was confirmed by Colombian Football Federation in a statement where the football body thanked the Columbia government and all other institutions that made the release happen.
Recall that Both parents of Liverpool’s Díaz were kidnapped by armed men on motorcycles at a gas station in the small town of Barrancas a fortnight ago.
While his mother, Cilenis Marulanda was rescued by police within hours of the kidnapping, his father Díaz’s father remained missing until his release on Thursday.
The statement read,
“The Colombian Football Federation thanks the National Government, the Military Forces and the National Police, as well as all the institutions and officials that made the release of Luís Manuel Díaz, father of our player Luís Díaz, possible,”
“Football as a sporting discipline symbolizes talent, dedication, teamwork and the intrinsic values of human beings. In Colombia it must continue to be a benchmark for entertainment, healthy competition, unity and joy.
“Therefore, we insist on the need to maintain this activity, as well as those who are involved in it, in the sporting and administrative part and their families, outside of any scenario other than sports.
“Behind a ball, the dreams and illusions of boys and girls, young people, women, men and adult soccer players, their loved ones and an entire country roll.
“Football is passion in peace. Let no one ever think of attacking that reality again
According to Reuters, a representative of Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas had claimed that the group will free the father of Liverpool star Luis Díaz.
ELN representative Juan Carlos Cuellar told a community meeting, in a video clip shared by the ELN with Reuters that Diaz’s father will be released “as soon as possible,”
However, it’s yet to be confirmed if the release were done by the guerilla group. Police had offered a $48,000 reward for information leading to Diaz’s father