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Colombian Police Expand Search For Luis Diaz’s Missing Father

Police air and land patrols searched a cloud forest in northern Colombia on Monday for Liverpool star Luis Díaz’s father, who was kidnapped over the weekend along with the player’s mother.

The couple were at a gas station in the small town of Barrancas on Saturday when they were abducted by armed men on motorcycles. Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued within hours by police that set up roadblocks around the town of 40,000 people, which is near Colombia’s border with Venezuela.

But his father, Luis Manuel Díaz, remained missing. On Monday, special forces searched a mountain range that straddles both countries and is covered by cloud forest. Police also offered a $48,0000 reward for information leading to Diaz’s father.

Officials said they did not rule out the possibility that the elder Díaz could have been smuggled into Venezuela, where he would be beyond the reach of Colombian police.

Díaz is one of the most talented players on Colombia’s national team and currently plays for Liverpool in the English Premier League, which he joined last year in a deal worth $67 million.

The 26-year-old striker was absent from Liverpool’s match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Díaz’s teammates expressed their solidarity with the Colombian by holding up one of his jerseys on the pitch after scoring the team’s first goal in their 3-0 victory.

The abduction of Díaz’s parents comes as kidnappings for ransom and extortion of businesses increase in Colombia despite efforts by the nation’s first left-wing government to broker ceasefires with rebel groups. Criminals and rebel groups in the country have long kidnapped civilians for ransom in order to finance their operations.

So far, none of the armed groups operating in Colombia has claimed responsibility for kidnapping Diaz’s parents.

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NSC Chairman, Dikko Reveals Plans To Upgrade NIS To University Of Sports

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De Boer, Sneijder criticize Jordan Henderson over media snub amid Ajax departure Speculation

Former Netherlands internationals Ronald de Boer and Wesley Sneijder have voiced their frustration with former Liverpool star Jordan Henderson, slamming him for refusing to face the media amid reports suggesting he wants to leave Ajax.

Both ex-footballers believe Henderson’s refusal to wear the armband and speak to the press is causing more unrest within the club.

Sneijder, speaking to the press after Ajax’s 2-1 victory over Galatasaray in the UEFA Europa League, called out the English midfielder, stating he was “not man enough” to address the media.

“Don’t be so difficult, man. You play the match, you have the armband on and after the match, you say: ‘Yeah, guys, I don’t know yet. Something is going on. We’ll see.’ Be a man and stand your ground. Right now you get speculation and you create a lot of unrest,” Sneijder said.

De Boer also criticized Henderson, saying, “This is complete nonsense. Henderson wanted to focus on the match, but he did not have to appear in front of the camera before the match. I understand that Pasveer has to do this, but it is simply nonsense. Henderson simply has other things on his mind and apparently does not want to respond to it.”

Recent reports suggest that Henderson is pushing for a move away from Ajax this month, even threatening to go on strike.

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Yobo urges Super Eagles to start strong at 2025 AFCON

Former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, has emphasized the importance of a strong start for the team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Yobo, who led Nigeria to AFCON glory in 2013, believes that a good beginning will be key to the team’s success in the competition.

The three-time African champions have been placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.

“A good start is very important. The first two games are very important. It is very, very crucial,” Yobo told ESPN.

The Super Eagles will kick off their campaign against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in Fez on Tuesday, December 23, before facing Tunisia in their second group match four days later. They will conclude their group stage against Uganda on Tuesday, December 30.