GEORGE WEAH: A VICTIM OF RACIAL ABUSE FROM A FELLOW FOOTBALLER(?)

No one would ever expect whoever would be the first native African Balon D’or recipient to come from a lowly football nation like Liberia since there are Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroun and Egypt that have been deeply involved in the game since the 60’s. This is the case of George Weah. The story began when Cameroon national team coach, Claude Le Roy contacted Arsene Wenger he had discovered an impressive young footballer playing for a certain club in the country. Arsene flew down to Cameroon himself and did not hesitate to recruit the young man for his then club, AS Monaco. After recording successful spells in France with Monaco and PSG, AC Milan acquired George Weah and then history was made – he was awarded The Balon D’or, FIFA World player of the year, Onze D’or and African footballer of the year all in a single season. He was known for his humility, fair play, technical and physical frontman ability and his humanitarian efforts on and off the pitch. In a match against Hellas Verona in 1996, George Weah scored running through the length of the pitch after the opponent took a corner kick. He attributed the goal to the fact that his coach, Oscar Tabarez did not substitute him despite his little contributions that day and thanked him [probabaly for believing in him].

THE INCIDENT
On 20th November 1996 after a Champions league game against FC Porto away from San Siro, George Weah (with a teammate named Rossi, maybe Milan goalkeeper, Sebastiano Rossi) waited in the tunnel for a Porto player called Jorge Costa. What ensued when Weah sighted Costa was a headbutt to the nose. Weah claimed Jorge directed racial taunts to him in both legs of the fixture – an allegation denied by the Porto defender. Jorge’s nose was broken and required X-Raying to ascertain the level of damage, this was followed by a surgical operation. Such conduct was totally out of character from Weah, so, his claims might be right. He was banned for six matches as a result of the violent conduct and an inquiry was set up. No witness – not even his Milan teammates – was available to verify Weah’s claims, so Jorge Costa was not charged. Weah attempted to make peace with Jorge Costa but the latter refused to concur because he found the accusation defamatory and took Weah to court.

REACTIONS
The incident angered a lot of football fans especially those from Africa. Though the accusations remain unsubstantiated, many believe George Weah was right. Despite the incident, Weah received the FIFA Fair play award for 1996. FIFA President of the time, Joao Havelange said “a reaction provoked cannot erase ten years of loyalty everywhere and in any competition. I will be happy to give him (Weah) the award personally on 20 January in Lisbon and I’m confident that Costa himself will be there beside me on that day to shake his hand” (As retrieved from Independent UK). Weah’s wife was quoted by an Italian newspaper claiming Jorge Costa jumped like a monkey in front of Weah during the match. A football spectator named Skye Slaine wrote in a google football group: Jorge Costa mimicked a monkey and made gorilla noises in front of Weah as he was going into the changing rooms…these remarks surely didn’t come only from Costa but also from the players and the spectators! SHAME ON COSTA AND ALL THE OTHER RACISTS!!!

George Weah retired from football in 2003 after spells in Chelsea, Manchester City and The Middle East.

Kolade Chris
Member, Whistle Sports Group (WSG).