As FA makes Luis Díaz punishment decision following Liverpool ‘s celebration Common sense prevails

Luis Díaz, a forward for Liverpool, experienced a moving moment when he entered the game to equalize against Luton. He took the opportunity to demand his father’s release.

The Football Association (FA) has rendered a decision regarding the shirt message that Luis Díaz of Liverpool wore during a recent game. Although Díaz technically broke FA regulations, he won’t be prosecuted. Given the unusual circumstances surrounding Díaz’s personal situation and his partial shirt removal to display the message, the decision was made.

Recently traumatised by the kidnapping of his parents, Díaz scored a crucial equaliser in his first game back after the event.

Jürgen Klopp started Díaz off the bench in the match against Luton, and the Colombian scored in injury time to help Liverpool draw with the struggling Premier League team.

After his parents were abducted by a rebel group in Colombia a little more than a week ago, Díaz made his comeback with this game. His father is still being held captive by the rebel group known as ELN, who are demanding “security guarantees” in exchange for his release. His mother was quickly set free.

Moments after scoring at Kenilworth Road, Díaz shed tears and lifted his shirt to reveal a sentimental ‘Libertad Para Papa’ (‘Freedom for Papa’). According to FA regulations, players are not permitted to “wear or revealing any item of clothing displaying any personal message.” In most cases, this kind of behaviour could result in a possible complaint from the regulatory authority.

Nevertheless, the FA has chosen not to charge Díaz due to the unique circumstances surrounding his case and the fact that he did not take off his shirt completely. As reported by the Daily Mail.

In addition to disclosing the message on his shirt, Díaz publicly demanded his father’s release on social media. He begged the rebel group to honour their word and send his father home as soon as possible.

Díaz posted an emotional plea on social media, saying, “This isn’t the player speaking. The son of Luís Manuel Díaz is today’s Lucho Díaz. Mane, my father, a devoted worker and the head of the family, has been abducted. I want my father released from ELN as soon as possible. I also request that the international associations take action to ensure his release. Our family’s feelings are unbearable, and they won’t change as long as he isn’t back home.” The ELN has taken responsibility for the kidnapping and, in response to Díaz’s request and public cries, they have released a new statement requesting “security guarantees.” The statement said: “On November 2, we informed the country of the decision to release Mr. Luis Manuel Díaz, father of the player Luis Díaz. From that date onward, we began the process to accomplish this as soon as possible. We are making efforts to avoid incidents with government forces.”

But they also say that their plans for a quick and safe release are being hampered by the ongoing military operations in the region. They claim that carrying on with operations in the region could postpone the release and raise related risks.

Luis Díaz is still receiving support from the football community during this difficult period. He is joined in prayer for his father’s safe return by admirers all over the world.

Liverpool.com comments: While common sense and the FA don’t always mesh well, this situation has obviously been resolved correctly. It would have been absurd to charge Díaz for his celebration.

I must also give credit to the on-field referee, who made the decision at that moment not to issue a yellow card. This season, officials have come across as being constrained by protocol, so this was a welcome return to common sense and empathy.