The moment that the father of Liverpool star Luis Diaz, Luis Manuel Diaz, touched down to safety following his kidnapping has been released.
Twelve days on from the kidnapping by armed men on Saturday, October 28 along with his wife, Clienis Marulanda, he has been released following intervention from the bishop of Riohacha, the Catholic church and representatives of the United Nations.
After his release, Mane was taken to the hospital to be checked by medical personnel after being liberated at around 10:30am local time in Colombia.
The Reds attacker was handed a start in their fourth Europa League group stage outing as they face Toulouse FC. Diaz was a late substitute against Luton Town on Sunday as he helped Liverpool salvage a point against the Hatters.
Semana journalist Vicky Davila posted a tweet on X showing the moment Mane stepped off the helicopter. She wrote: “Mane” returns home… how happy Luis Díaz is that you have your father safe Luis Manuel Díaz bless God and may the ELN kidnappers pay for what they did.”
The Catholic church posted showing the moment they released Mane. Accompanied with two pictures, they tweeted: “We thank God for the release of Mr. Luis Díaz!
“With him are already Mons. Francisco Ceballos, bishop of Riohacha and Mons. Héctor Henao, delegate for Church-State relations, who formed the humanitarian commission in charge of facilitating his release.”
The Colombian Football Federation expressed their gratitude to the forces that helped bring Diaz snr out of captivity. “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!”
