‘A far better course would be to admit that a mistake had been made and say that it would not happen again,’ a US diplomat said.

Diaz’s parents were snatched off the street just over a fortnight ago.

Diaz’s mother has been rescued but the Colombian authorities have stepped up the search for Luis Manuel Diaz.

Colombia advanced to set up a last-eight date with European champions England.

The Republic’s meeting with the Matildas proved so popular that as early as January it was moved to the competition’s largest venue.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Denise O’Sullivan was taken to hospital and is set to undergo a scan after sustaining a shin injury.

Colombia reached 1 million confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday, becoming the second country in Latin America to report that number in less than a week.