Parents of Liverpool striker Diaz kidnapped, mother later rescued
Bogota (Colombia), Oct 29: The parents of Colombian and Liverpool striker Luis Diaz were kidnapped 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 on Saturday. The country’s police director, Gen 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. Diaz has not commented on the incident. (AP)
Football fan banned for life after
apparent ‘racist gesture’
GILLINGHAM, (England), Oct 29: A football fan was issued with a lifetime ban by English club Gillingham after appearing to make a racially offensive gesture to an opposition player. A video widely shared on social media showed the supporter make what the club described as a “racist” gesture to Newport striker Omar Bogle after he scored in his team’s 2-0 win on Saturday. “The club can confirm a lifetime ban has been issued to an individual following an incident during Saturday’s game at home to Newport County,” Gillingham said in a statement. The club said a number of fans had come forward to report the incident and that it had been dealt with quickly. (AP)