Liverpool say it is their “fervent hope” that Luis Diaz’s parents are returned safely after overnight reports in Colombia that the pair had been kidnapped.
Colombia outlet Semana reported that the parents of the Liverpool winger were taken in the municipality of Barrancas after they were approached by a gang on motorcycles.
Subsequent claims have been published reporting that Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, has since been rescued but his father, Luis Manuel Diaz, remains missing.
Liverpool say they will continue to support their winger through the ordeal as they await further information from South America.
A club statement read:
“Liverpool Football Club can confirm it is aware of an ongoing situation involving the family of Luis Diaz in Colombia.
“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.”
The director of Colombia’s National Police, General William Salamanca, is quoted as saying:
"We already have the mother, she is in good health, scared, but she is fine.
"They took the father away on a motorcycle, they took him out of the car and took him along the trails there.
"We are committed to carrying out checkpoints and identifying people on motorcycles."
The director of news outlet Semana, Vicki Davila, posted in the early hours of Sunday morning:
“Lucho, you who have only given us joy pride and smiles, you who all you do is work to raise the name of this painful country, you do not deserve this deep sadness, neither do your parents, nor your family, nor your fans.
“Colombia does not deserve to be world news for such a horrible and abominable event. Your pain, Lucho, is the pain of millions who follow you and admire you.
“We just want to see the image of you hugging with your parents, as always. Colombia is going through very difficult times and criminals are on every corner, daring and confident.
“May God be with the Police and the Army and all the authorities; may it give them wisdom so that your dad can be free again soon, next to your mom who is waiting for him.
“And that the criminals who kidnapped them pay until the last day of their lives for what they did. May justice be done and peace return to your beloved family.”
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