Acerbi: 'Enough controversy'

By Football Italia staff

Francesco Acerbi has accepted a personal apology from Tiemoue Bakayoko after the jersey incident. “Enough controversy.”

The pair had exchanged barbed comments on social media in the build-up to the game on Saturday night, but when Acerbi swapped shirts with Bakayoko, the Milan midfielder went to wave it in front of his own fans like a trophy.

The Lazio defender was upset and figures from around the media and even politics piled in with criticism of their actions, with the Disciplinary Commission even opening an investigation for unsporting conduct.

This evening, news agency Ansa claims Bakayoko spoke to Acerbi on the phone with the aid of a Milan director as interpreter.

“I have the utmost respect for you. It’s true, it was some banter, but there was no malice. We certainly did not want to offend you or your team.”

Acerbi tried to put a lid on the whole sorry situation with a post on Instagram and Twitter showing him embracing Bakayoko just before the exchange of shirts.

“Enough controversy, we’ll see each other on the pitch.”

More footage of the incident also show that Milan defender Mateo Musacchio immediately snatched Acerbi's shirt away from Bakayoko and Kessie once they saw what was happening.

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