MONROVIA — Liberia Football Association Executive Committee Member Christian G. Weah Sr. has come to the defense of Rev. Dr. J. Luther Tarpeh, urging football stakeholders and the public to exercise restraint and maintain political unity behind the national team, the Lone Star.
By Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
Weah’s intervention follows growing public criticism directed at the Unity Party Chairman and Lone Star National Mobilization Committee Chairman in the aftermath of Liberia’s recent defeat to Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Weah, who stated he has known Tarpeh for years and traveled alongside him to support the national team on away fixtures, including trips to Sierra Leone and Rwanda, argued that Tarpeh’s contributions to Liberian football should not be dismissed over a single controversial statement.
“I have followed the public discussion surrounding the recent statement made by Rev. Dr. J. Luther Tarpeh following the Lone Star’s defeat to Mali,” Weah said in a statement issued.
While acknowledging that Tarpeh’s remarks generated widespread criticism, Weah maintained that the ensuing debate should not overshadow his longstanding dedication to the squad.
“From my personal interactions with him, I can speak to his genuine love for Liberian football and his commitment to supporting the Lone Star,” Weah added.
Background of the Controversy
The backlash follows calls from various quarters for Tarpeh’s removal as chairman of the Lone Star National Mobilization Committee. Critics took issue with comments he made following Liberia’s 1-0 defeat to Mali at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex in Paynesville, arguing the tone was inappropriate given his official position and the politically sensitive environment surrounding domestic sports administration.
However, Weah stressed that sharp disagreement over phrasing should not translate into a wholesale rejection of an individual’s service to the country.
“We may disagree with the choice of words used in the aftermath of a disappointing result without questioning someone’s entire commitment to the country or to football,” he noted.
‘The Lone Star Belongs to All of Us’
Emphasizing that sports should remain divorced from partisan politics, Weah noted that the disappointment of the Mali loss was felt collectively across the political spectrum.
“Like millions of Liberians, Rev. Tarpeh was undoubtedly disappointed and frustrated by the result. We all wanted Liberia to win,” Weah said.
“Emotions can run high when our national team loses, but at the end of the day, the Lone Star belongs to all of us: Unity Party, CDC, other political parties, and Liberians who have no political affiliation.”
Drawing from his first-hand travel experiences with Tarpeh, Weah vouched for the mobilization chairman’s active role in rallying resources for the team.
“I have personally witnessed Rev. Tarpeh’s commitment to our national team,” Weah said. “I have seen him travel, mobilize support, engage stakeholders, and contribute his time and resources toward the development and success of Liberian football.”
He argued that these tangible contributions should form the basis of public evaluation rather than a disputed remark.
Addressing Structural Challenges
The LFA executive called on critics and supporters alike to lower the political temperature and refocus energy on resolving the deep-seated structural issues confronting Liberian football.
Liberia’s ongoing qualifying campaign has once again exposed vulnerabilities in competitiveness, preparation, and administrative depth.
The Lone Star opened its AFCON Group K campaign with a 3-1 defeat to Rwanda before the 1-0 setback against Mali in Monrovia, leaving the team with “a big mountain to climb” in remaining fixtures.
“This should therefore be an opportunity for all of us to lower the political temperature and redirect our attention to the real challenge before us: How do we build a stronger Lone Star and a stronger football system?” Weah asserted.
‘There Should Only Be Liberia’
Reiterating his call for social cohesion, Weah urged citizens to view the national team as an enduring symbol of unity that transcends political divisions.
“Our national team must remain a symbol of unity,” he emphasized. “When the Lone Star plays, there should be no CDC, no Unity Party, and no political division. There should only be Liberia.”
Weah concluded by challenging stakeholders to invest in grassroots development, enhance player welfare, and build robust technical structures capable of meeting international standards.
“As football stakeholders, our responsibility is to unite around the game, invest in grassroots development, support our players and technical team, and continue building a football system capable of competing successfully at the highest level,” Weah said.
“Let us disagree respectfully, learn from moments like this, and move forward together. Football should unite us, not divide us.”
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