By By: Staff Writer
Lone Star Mobilization Chairman Rev. Dr. J. Luther Tarpeh has resigned, weeks after his partisan attack on opposition supporters triggered nationwide backlash and an unusual public rebuke from his own Sports Minister.
In a formal letter dated October 24, 2026, to LFA President Mustapha Raji, Tarpeh announced he was stepping aside effective immediately, saying he did not want personal animosity toward him to distract from rallying support for the national team.
The Unity Party Chairman said serving as mobilization head had been a great honor, noting that under his leadership Liberians across all sectors united behind the Lone Star with unmatched patriotism and energy.
He lamented, however, that despite what he called patriotic service, he endured an intense barrage of malice and abuse, including attacks on his late mother, with some radio stations dedicating hours to vilify him.
His resignation is rooted in a Facebook post after Liberia’s 1-0 loss to Mali in the AFCON qualifier at the SKD, where a thank-you message to fans quickly turned political.
In that post, Tarpeh called some CDC supporters “mentally deranged” with “crab mentality” and threatened to launch a campaign to “donate” them somewhere else to leave the country alone.
The comments ignited outrage. Critics said the job of mobilization chairman is to unite the nation, not divide it, with many asking if he thought the Lone Star was “UP FC.”
The decisive blow came from Youth and Sports Minister Atty. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, who publicly frowned at the post, declaring: “The role of Mobilization Chair is not meant to be divisive. This cannot be another CDC vs UP moment.”
Civil society groups and commentators also piled pressure, arguing football must be insulated from toxic politics and calling for his removal to preserve national unity around the sport.
Appointed in February to drive a US$5 million fundraising campaign for the Lone Star, Tarpeh said his love for the team remains unwavering and he will support from the background, as the LFA is yet to announce his replacement.
