The parents of Colombian and Liverpool striker Luis Diaz were kidnapped on Saturday and while his mother was later rescued his father remained missing, authorities said.
Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued by police in the city of Barrancas in the northern department of La Guajira, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said.
The country’s police director, General William Salamanca, said in a video he is using every agent to find Diaz’s father.
The parents of the 26-year-old Diaz were reportedly kidnapped as they drove to their home. Gunmen on motorbikes stopped them and drove them away in the vehicle, authorities said.
Colombia’s football federation said in a statement the kidnapping was regrettable and urged authorities to rescue the father.
“The Colombian Football Federation rejects the security situation that the parents of our player Luis Díaz are going through,” they said.
“From the FCF we express our solidarity with him and his entire family and we call for the relevant authorities to act as quickly as possible to resolve the situation.”
Liverpool said they were supporting the player and he sat out the Reds’ Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
“Liverpool Football Club can confirm it is aware of an ongoing situation involving the family of Luis Diaz in Colombia,” read a club 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.”
Diaz has not commented on the incident.
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