Milano Police on the Bakayoko mistaken identity incident: “Racism comments are out of place, he corresponded perfectly – by chance – to the description”

Tiémoué Bakayoko was searched at gunpoint for no reason earlier this month, and the video has gone public.

Over the last 24 hours, a video has been making rounds on social media, showing the Milano Police Force searching an individual with guns pointed to the inside of a car; this individual is Bakayoko.

The incident took place in the Porta Garibaldi area of Milan on July 3, earlier this month. Bakayoko was the victim of a mistaken identity and after being recognized, he was let go with an apology by the police force.

Many people online claimed that the reason Bakayoko, and the other person who was in the car with him, were detained is the color of their skin, suggesting the racism is the factor behind it. The Police Force chose to react to those claims today.

“These are out of place comments,” a representative of the Police Force said as reported by the Italian news agency ANSA. The check was triggered because Bakayoko and the other passenger corresponded perfectly – by chance – to the descriptions, and obviously it ended when it was realized that they had stopped a person who had nothing to do with it.”

The Police explained that in the previous night there had been fights and firearms were used, between foreigners, and they had been looking for a dark SUV with 2 men on board, one of them wearing a green shirt. Responding to the alert, at 6 AM the following moment, the incident happened; since the police was looking for firearms, they operated with guns in hand. The Milano Police have also clarified the matter also with the Rossoneri club, according to ANSA.

The Chief of the Police Union Paolo Magrone also spoke of the incident: “As per the rules, the officers had their weapons in hand and kept the two men who had been stopped under control. It was quickly discovered that one of the two people stopped was the player Bakayoko, along with a friend. We congratulate the police for the meticulous nature of the operation, which saw two very young but well-prepared officers, and proved once again if it were needed how important the human factor is in surveillance of the territory.

“We also wish to remind people how not long ago, officers spotted a dangerous terrorist near the Sesto San Giovanni train station and shot him dead. At that time the officers were called heroes, today they are considered racists and incompetent. These are the miracles of the Internet who cannot wait to discredit the forces of law and order. Well done lads, you are the pride of this country.”

Bakayoko of course has since been training normally at Milanello ahead of the new season, even if his future at the club is currently in doubt and his loan from Chelsea could be cut short.