Although Luis Diaz won’t be disciplined further for his show at Luton, the FA will keep a close eye on any players wishing to make a personal statement on the pitch.
For the first time since his parents were abducted in Colombia on Sunday, Liverpool’s No. 7 was included in the matchday squad. His father has not yet been located.
Diaz was given the option to participate before the game, and Jurgen Klopp made a crucial call when he scored the equaliser late in the game.
His joy was understandably subdued until he removed his shirt to see the English phrase “LIBERTAD PARA PAPA,” which means “FREEDOM FOR DAD.”
While sharing private messages is not permitted under FA regulations, according to Mike Keegan of the Mail, “given the exceptional circumstances,” Diaz’s exhibition won’t result in any charges.
Many would have been satisfied that he did not completely take off his shirt, but common sense would have always maintained that Diaz was not deserving of criticism for what he did.
Diaz and his family have been experiencing unfathomable emotions for the past week as they eagerly await any and all details from Colombia.
Guerrilla organisation ELN has not yet freed Luis Manuel Diaz, who is still abducted. The kidnappers recently declared that they will release Diaz but only after receiving “security guarantees.”
According to the ELN statement, “We acknowledge the suffering of the Diaz-Marulanda family, and we pledge to honour our promise to release him on our own initiative as soon as we obtain security guarantees for the advancement of the liberation operation.”
After dedicating his equaliser against Luton to his father, Diaz made a plea for his father’s “prompt release” in order to put an end to the “painful wait” as soon as possible.
