George Weah slapped with child support case in US

George Weah’s presidential ambition has been dealt a blow barely a week after he officially launched his bid to contest Liberia’s 2017 presidential election.

A court in the US state of Georgia has issued a warrant charging the ex-Liberia international with child abandonment, Reuters reports.

The warrant alleges that Weah has failed to pay for child support.

A spokesperson for his Congress for Democratic Change party, Sam Manna is quoted by Reuters as saying that the warrant “is a calculated propaganda trying to diminish our political momentum.”

Manna however said the warrant was withdrawn after lawyers of the ex-footballer spoke to court officials.

Weah’s lawyers are expected to travel to the United States for the hearing at the Newton County court in Georgia on May 11.

George Weah could face up to 12 months in prison if found culpable.

Weah is hoping to lead Liberia after an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2005 which was won by incumbent president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

He has said he would focus on repairing the education system, construct clinics and fight youth unemployment.

Liberia is still undergoing reconstruction after a civil war and a recent devastating Ebola outbreak.

Weah’s illustrious soccer career in Europe lasted more than a decade and he played for teams including Paris Saint Germain in France, AC Milan in Italy and Chelsea in the United Kingdom.

Weah became the first non-European to win the European player of the year award in 1995, the same year he picked up the African and World player of the year awards.

Reuters