Published: October 5, 2026
MONROVIA — Liberia Football Association Executive Committee member Christian Weah Sr. has defended Lone Star Mobilization Committee Chairman Rev. Dr. J. Luther Tarpeh amid growing criticism of remarks he made following Liberia’s 1-0 defeat to Mali in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Tarpeh, who also chairs the ruling Unity Party, faced criticism after responding sharply on social media to supporters of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change who had questioned the government’s involvement in supporting the national team.
The comments have sparked calls for Tarpeh’s removal from the mobilization committee, while Youth and Sports Minister Cornelia Kruah publicly distanced herself from what she described as the political tone of the remarks.
Weah, however, said the controversy should not overshadow Tarpeh’s contribution to Liberian football and his efforts to support the national team.
“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.
“I have known Rev. Tarpeh for a long time, and I have also had the opportunity to travel with him in support of our national team, including trips to Sierra Leone and Rwanda.”
Weah said his interactions with Tarpeh have allowed him to witness what he described as the Unity Party chairman’s genuine passion for Liberian football and commitment to the Lone Star.
He acknowledged that Tarpeh’s remarks have generated controversy but urged the public to distinguish the statement from Tarpeh’s broader involvement in the national team.
“While I believe strongly that football should never become a battleground for partisan politics, I also believe that one statement made in a moment of disappointment should not erase the contributions an individual has made to our national game,” Weah said.
Weah said Liberia’s defeat to Mali disappointed supporters across the political divide and that emotions were understandably high after the result.
“Like millions of Liberians, Rev. Tarpeh was undoubtedly disappointed and frustrated by the result. We all wanted Liberia to win,” he said.
“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.”
According to Weah, he has personally witnessed Tarpeh travel with the national team, mobilize support, engage stakeholders and contribute time and resources to the football program.
He said those efforts should be considered as the debate over Tarpeh’s comments continues.
“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,” Weah said.
The LFA appointed Tarpeh in February 2026 to chair the Lone Star Mobilization and Fundraising Committee. The committee is responsible for mobilizing financial, logistical and other support for the national team.
At the time of his appointment, Tarpeh called on Liberians across political, social and ethnic lines to unite behind the Lone Star.
Weah said the latest controversy should be used as an opportunity to lower political tensions and focus on the broader challenges facing Liberian football.
“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?” he said.
He called for increased investment in grassroots football, greater support for players and technical staff, and a stronger football structure capable of competing at the highest level.
“Our national team must remain a symbol of unity. When the Lone Star plays, there should be no CDC, no Unity Party and no political division. There should only be Liberia,” Weah said.
“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’s comments come amid growing debate over the role of politics in managing and mobilizing support for the Lone Star following Liberia’s second consecutive defeat in the AFCON qualifying campaign.
He urged football stakeholders to exercise restraint and keep the national team above partisan politics.
“Let us disagree respectfully, learn from moments like this, and move forward together. Football should unite us, not divide us.”
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