Former Liberia national team captain Sam Johnson has publicly questioned the coaching decisions of the Lone Star after midfielder Justin Salmon was left on the bench for both legs of the team’s recent fixtures, despite efforts to secure his participation.
Justin Salmon, who plays for Norwegian club Egersund IK, was called up for Liberia’s latest matches. However, sources reveal that the player and his representatives spent approximately $6,000 to facilitate his travel to Liberia, only for him to remain an unused substitute in both games.
In a strongly worded Facebook post, Johnson expressed his frustration over the situation:
“After spending around $6,000 to bring him from a good league in Norway to Liberia for both legs, you put him on the bench for both games without giving him a single minute of play. Instead, you put a county league player in front of him for both games. When this kid tries to express his feelings, they’ll label him as rude and question who he thinks he is.”
Salmon, who made his national team debut in 2021, has been a regular squad member and was expected to feature in the recent matches. His omission in favor of a locally based player has sparked debate over the selection criteria employed by the coaching staff.
Fans and analysts have raised concerns about whether foreign-based players are being given a fair chance, especially when significant personal expenses are involved in their participation.
Johnson’s comments have amplified calls for greater transparency in the national team’s selection process. Critics argue that if a player is invited, there should be a clear plan for their involvement, not just as a benchwarmer after costly travel arrangements.
The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has yet to respond to the growing criticism. However, the controversy has reignited discussions about the management of the Lone Star and whether the current coaching setup is making the best use of available talent.
With no official explanation from the technical team, speculation continues over whether Salmon will remain in future squad selections or if this incident will discourage other diaspora-based players from accepting call-ups.
As the debate unfolds, one thing is certain: the handling of this situation has left many questioning the decision-making within Liberian football.
