This archive report was first published on 8 September 2019.
On September 8, 2019, Liberia's national football team, the Lone Star, faced a violent welcome in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, ahead of their second leg clash of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
According to reports, the team had to flee the scene after being subjected to physical attacks by angry fans, prompting authorities to intervene.
Despite the challenges, Liberia won the first leg of the tie played in Monrovia 3-1 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
President George Weah took to Facebook to condemn the attack, stating, "It is sad when what is supposed to be the most beautiful and unifying game turn into violence, thus causing supporters to attack players in this 21st century."
He further recalled a similar incident in Congo, where the Liberian team was stoned out of the training ground ahead of an Africa Cup of Nations clash, but went on to win 1-0.
