Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been deceived by false reports about Liberia’s presidential election after he congratulated his former player, George Weah, despite the fact that results have not yet been announced.

Mr Wenger said:

“I would like to congratulate one of my former players, who became president of Liberia.”

Wenger coached former FIFA World Footballer of the Year Weah at French club Monaco in the 1990s and false reports online had claimed the former striker had won the election.

Liberia’s presidential election took place on Tuesday with 20 candidates in the running.

George Weah is seen as one of the front-runners to replace President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf having previously had two failed presidential bids.

Speaking further about the former PSG, Chelsea and AC Milan star, Wenger said:

“It is not often that you have a former player who becomes a president of a country.”

“Well done George and I would say just for him to keep his enthusiasm and his desire to learn and to win,” he added.

Early reports on the election state that it could go into second round as the winning candidate potentially need over 50% of the votes to emerge as the next president of Liberia.