Luis Manuel Diaz, the father of Liverpool forward, Luis Diaz, has been released by kidnappers.
Diaz spent 12 days in captivity after being kidnapped by the guerrilla group National Liberation Army, also known as the ELN, at a petrol station in Colombia near the border with Venezuela on Saturday, October 28.
The player’s mother was also kidnapped in the incident but she was rescued within hours after police set up roadblocks.
The Liverpool forward and Colombia international scored an emotional late equaliser at Luton Town on Sunday before revealing a message underneath his shirt which read ‘Libertad Para Papa’ (Freedom for Dad).
Special forces were said to have been deployed to search for Diaz, with air and land patrols trawling a mountain range that straddles both Colombia and Venezuela – as Colombia’s police director vowed to use every agent to find him.
Officials said they could not rule out the possibility that he has been smuggled over the border – meaning he would be out of reach of Colombian police.
READ ALSO: Diaz begs kidnappers to release father after scoring on Liverpool return
A reward worth $48,000 (£39,000) had been offered for information that helps police locate Diaz.
However, on Thursday, November 9, he was handed back over to his family.
Reports said he was handed over to the UN humanitarian commission, the church, and medical personnel in the Serrania del Perija region.
Confirming his release, the Colombian Football Federation, in a statement, said: “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 Diaz, father of our player Luís Diaz, 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.”
The Colombian President, Gustavo Petro, added: “Long live freedom and peace”.
Diaz is starting for Liverpool in their Europa League game in Toulouse, which kicked off at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday.
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