BREAKING: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp congratulates Luis Diaz after his father was freed by kidnappers in Colombia.
On Thursday, Diaz’s father, Luís Manuel Diaz, was released by kidnappers, having spent 13 days in captivity after being snatched by the guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN).
Both of Diaz’s parents were kidnapped at a petrol station in Colombia near the border with Venezuela.
Diaz’s mother was rescued within hours after police set up roadblocks. However, the player’s father was dragged away.
It was revealed that Diaz’s father had been rescued just hours before the Reds’ Europa League encounter with Toulouse.
And on the matter Klopp told TNT Sports: “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, [we] asked him, he wants to [play], so good and he will.”
Diaz scored an emotional late equaliser at Luton on Sunday before revealing a message on his undershirt which read “Libertad Para Papa” (Freedom for Dad).
The kidnapping had been carried out by the ELN, once of Colombia’s few remaining active guerrilla group.
The ELN has been fighting the state since 1964 and has an estimated 2,500 members.
ELN is most active in Colombia’s border region with Venezuela, where Diaz’s parents live.
According to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo there were scenes of jubilation in the neighbourhood where Diaz’s parents live, with family members driving their cars through the streets in celebration.
The Colombia Football Federation confirmed the release of Diaz’s father on Thursday afternoon.
In a statement they said: “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 symbolises 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.”
Luis Diaz’s father has reportedly been rescued from a kidnapping in Colombia following a shootout that left two of his captors dead.
Both Diaz’s mother and father were taken by armed gunmen on motorbikes while travelling from their home in Barrancas on Saturday.
His mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued after the Colombian attorney general’s office assembled a team of investigators to look for the couple.
The player’s father, Luis Manuel Diaz, was later rescued on Sunday morning following a deadly shootout between the kidnappers and the Colombian police.
It was reported that local media from the La Guajira region claim Diaz’s father was freed following a police rescue mission, which resulted in the deaths of two of the four kidnappers.
The incident is said to have taken place in an area called Los Barrancones, near Colombia’s border with Venezuela.
It is claimed the kidnappers intended to smuggle Diaz’s father into the neighbouring country.
There is yet to be official confirmation that Diaz’s father has been rescued by the local authorities.
Diaz himself is yet to comment but Liverpool have released a club statement confirming the club is supporting the winger.
“Liverpool Football Club can confirm it is aware of an ongoing situation involving the family of Luis Diaz in Colombia,” read the statement.
“It is our fervent hope that the matter is resolved safely and at the earliest possible opportunity. In the meantime, the player’s welfare will continue to be our immediate priority.”
A man described as the best friend of Luis Manuel Diaz told a Colombian radio station the footballer’s parents had kidnapped while filling up their car at a petrol station.
Victor Medina said: “It was 5.30pm local time on Saturday. They had filled up with petrol and then went to a neighbourhood nearby to collect something from a relative of Celinis. There the captors arrived, four men on motorbikes.
“They threatened them with weapons, made them get into the same vehicle and sped off with the other two on a motorbike tailing them. They headed for a rural area. The authorities were informed and there was a chase.”
When asked if there was a shoot-out between the captors and authorities before Cilenis was rescued, Medina added: “I haven’t had the chance to speak to her yet.
It’s
a difficult situation. She’s back at home with doctors because we know she arrived quite distressed after what has been a trauma for her. We’re just waiting for everything to calm down a bit before we speak with her.”
He added: “Luis Manuel Diaz is a person who is much loved in Barrancas and there’s never been any talk of threats. He and his family are highly appreciated in this municipality and that is why he always felt calm and safe here.”
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