-Former Liberian President Says Mistakes Are Part of the Game and Urges Players, Fans, and Officials to Uphold Sportsmanship
MONROVIA – Former President and international football icon George Manneh Weah has strongly condemned threats and intimidation directed at football referees, urging players, officials, and supporters to embrace sportsmanship and recognize that mistakes are an unavoidable part of the game.
In recent remarks on the state of football officiating, Weah stressed that referees deserve the same level of protection and respect afforded to players, warning that harassment and threats against match officials undermine the integrity of the sport.
“I don’t think people should be threatened when we play the game,” Weah said, emphasizing that football remains an open and competitive sport in which errors can occur on all sides.
The former World Player of the Year noted that players, referees, and assistant referees are all human and therefore susceptible to mistakes during the course of a match.
“The player makes mistakes, the referee makes mistakes, and we have to accept everybody’s mistakes,” he stated. “There are certain things a referee may not see, and even the linesmen will not see them.”
Call for Composure and Respect
Weah argued that disagreements over officiating decisions should never escalate into threats or acts of intimidation. Instead, he called for greater composure, discipline, and mutual respect within the football community.
“But we need to understand that we are human and we make these mistakes,” he said. “How we can solve it is to always be composed and respectful, but we can’t threaten a referee that came to officiate a game.”
The former Liberia and AC Milan star described reports of referees being threatened before, during, or after matches as deeply troubling and harmful to the development of the sport.
“That’s one of the saddest things I’ve ever heard,” Weah remarked. “To threaten referees in garages and all that, it’s not a good thing because they are human too.”
Protecting the Integrity of the Game
Weah’s comments come amid growing discussions within Liberian football circles about match officiating, player conduct, and the need to ensure a safe environment for referees and other match officials.
As one of Africa’s most celebrated football figures and inarguably Liberia’s most successful player, Weah has long advocated for fair play and respect within the sport. His career, which saw him rise from the streets of Monrovia to become the only African player to win the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards, has made him an influential voice on football matters both at home and abroad.
Observers say his latest remarks reinforce the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the game and ensuring that referees can perform their duties without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
Equal Protection for Referees and Players
Concluding his appeal, Weah urged stakeholders to recognize that referees are essential to the game and deserve the same level of protection and support provided to athletes.
“So we need to protect the referees as we protect the players,” he said.
His comments have been welcomed by many within the football community who argue that respect for match officials is fundamental to promoting fair competition, discipline, and the continued growth of the sport in Liberia.
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