August 24 – Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger received a hero’s welcome when he arrived in Liberia to receive the country’s highest award from president George Weah – though not everyone apparently joined in quite so enthusiastically.
Weah, who was signed by Wenger in 1988 when he coached French side Monaco, has credited the Frenchman for turning him into one of the world’s most dangerous forwards and is repaying him by inducting him into the country’s Order of Distinction and giving him the title of Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption.
Weah went on to play for AC Milan, Paris St Germain and Chelsea. In 1995 he was named World Footballer of the Year and won the Ballon d’Or, still the only African to win either award. He retired in 2003 and turned almost immediately to politics, failing in his first attempt to become president of Liberia in 2005. But his popularity from his footballing career eventually saw him win a landslide run-off victory in Liberia’s presidential election last year.
Weah credits Wenger with being the most important influence on his career and invited him to his inauguration as president in January though he couldn’t attend.
Some Liberians have expressed their disappointment with the honour being bestowed upon Wenger, arguing that his contribution was to Weah was in a purely individual capacity. Darius Dillon, an opposition politician, criticised Weah for using the nation’s highest honour and the office of the president to recognize those who only played a role in his “personal life.”
“The nation’s highest honour cannot be given to somebody who has not done something directly for the country,” Dillion said.
Other political opponents of Weah have also questioned the decision. Emmanuel Gonquoi of the Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia called it “a complete waste of time.”
But most gave Wenger huge welcome when he arrived at the country’s international airport, hundreds wearing Arsenal shirts.
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