Luis Diaz begs for father's release in statement with family feeling 'desperate'

Luis Diaz has called for the immediate release of his kidnapped father while detailing the anguish that his family has faced during the past week

Posted Monday, November 06, 2023 by Dailystar.co.uk

Luis Diaz has called for the immediate release of his kidnapped father after he came off the bench to score for Liverpool in their draw against Luton.

Luis Manuel Diaz remains kidnapped eight days after he was abducted at gunpoint alongside wife Cilenis Marulanda who was later freed by police. The rebel National Liberation Army (ELN) group have since pledged to release him, without doing so.

Translated to English, Diaz broke his silence to say on Sunday evening: "Today the soccer player is not speaking to you, today Luis Diaz, the son of Luis Manuel Diaz, is speaking to you. My dad, he is a tireless worker, our pillar in the family and he is kidnapped.

"I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my father, and I ask international organisations to intercede for his freedom.

"Every second, every minute our anguish grows; My mother, my brothers and I are desperate, distressed and without words to describe what we are feeling. This suffering will only end when we have him back home.

"I beg you to release him immediately, respecting his integrity and ending this painful wait as soon as possible.

"In the name of love and compassion, we ask that you reconsider your actions and allow us to recover him.

"I thank Colombians and the international community for the support received, thank you for so many demonstrations of affection and solidarity in this difficult time that many families in my country find themselves living."

The statement comes after the 26-year-old's mother also send an emotional message to ELN, after her own release.

Wearing a T-shirt that read 'your family is waiting for you' Cilenis Marulanda said on Sunday: "I want them to release him now. That the people who are keeping him free him now back to me, because we want to have him back home."

Jurgen Klopp also spoke about the father of his player and said that the most important thing is that he is returned to his family.

Klopp said on Sky Sports after the 1-1 draw: "A wonderful moment but it doesn't change the situation. Most important thing is that his father gets released. It is wonderful he wanted to be here. That's it, for us a super important goal and for him very important and emotional, but that's it."