The identity of the kidnappers who are holding the father of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz is known, states the Colombian government.

Luis Manuel Diaz is being held by the National Liberation Army (ELN).

The ELN is Colombia's major active guerrilla group and has been fighting the state since 1964. It has an estimated 2,500 members.

On Thursday a government delegation which is currently engaged in peace talks with the rebel group, said that it had "official knowledge" that the kidnapping had been carried out by "a unit belonging to the ELN".

The head of the government delegation negotiation with the ELN, Otty Patiño, said: "We remind the ELN that kidnappings are criminal acts which violate international humanitarian law and that it is their [the ELN's] duty as part of the current peace process to not only stop engaging in kidnappings but also to forever stamp them out."