Ghana Sends Weah Into Premature Retirement

MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) -- Former FIFA player of the year George Weah said Monday he was quitting international soccer following Liberia's 2-1 defeat to Ghana in a World Cup qualifier that reduced the team's chances of advancing to the 2002 tournament.

The 35-year-old, who was voted the world's best soccer player in 1995, cited fan abuse as the reason for his retirement from the Liberian national side.

``I don't want to be part of the team anymore because fans insulted my mother,'' an emotional Weah said at a news conference. ``I brought this team from nowhere to somewhere and the result should not be that my mother is insulted.''

Fans have been gathering outside Weah's house all day Monday, begging him to reconsider his retirement, but the player said the decision was final.

Sunday's African Group B results allowed Nigeria, which beat Sudan 4-0, to go top of the group, leading Liberia by a point going into the last round of matches.

Weah has played for AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City, Monaco and Olympique Marseille during his 15-year career.