In a moving statement, Liverpool professional Luis Díaz has asked for the release of his kidnapped father. “It’s not the footballer speaking to you today. Today Lucho Diaz, the son of Luis Manuel Diaz, speaks to you. Mane, my father, is a tireless worker, a pillar of the family, and he has been kidnapped. I ask the ELN for the immediate release of my father, and I ask the international organizations to work together for his freedom,” the 26-year-old wrote on Instagram on Sunday evening. ELN stands for Ejército de Liberación Nacional, a guerrilla movement in Colombia.
The striker’s parents were kidnapped in Colombia a week ago, but the mother was rescued. “With every second, with every minute our fear increases,” Díaz wrote. “My mother, brothers and I are desperate, scared and have no words to describe what we are feeling. This suffering will only end when we have him back home. I ask you to release him immediately, respect his integrity and end this painful wait as soon as possible.”
“We just hugged each other”
Díaz was back in the Liverpool squad for the first time after his parents were kidnapped against Luton Town and scored the 1-1 draw against the Premier League newcomers in stoppage time on Sunday. After his goal, he pulled up his jersey and showed the words “Freedom for Dad” on his T-shirt.
“We wanted to give Lucho – and he wanted it too – the opportunity to distract himself a little from the other things,” said coach Jürgen Klopp after the game. “He can’t do nothing, he’s waiting all the time, the whole family is waiting all the time.” The signs from Colombia are “rather positive,” said Klopp, “but what we all want to hear hasn’t happened yet “.
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After the overall disappointing 1-1 draw against Luton Town and Díaz’s late goal, no words were necessary between the two, explained Klopp. “We just hugged each other. We know how he feels – he’s fine, but he’s desperately waiting for the right news. That’s all.”
