Politician called Bakayoko & Kessie 'unworthy of the values of sport'

The controversy rumbles on from Milan-Lazio, as a politician called Tiemoue Bakayoko and Franck Kessie showing off Francesco Acerbi’s jersey “unworthy of the values of sport.”

The incident occurred after several days of social media ‘banter’ in which Acerbi said there was “no comparison” between the two teams.

Acerbi exchanged jerseys with Bakayoko to put an end to the tension, but instead the Milan midfielder and teammate Kessie waved it in front of the Milan supporters like a trophy.

“Sport is healthy competition and fair play,” Undersecretary for Sport Giancarlo Giorgetti told news agency Ansa.

“Showing off the jersey of another player to mock him is first of all a stupid gesture, but also undignified and unworthy of the values of sport, as well as unworthy of the jerseys they are wearing.

“I hope that the right action is taken to stigmatise what happened.”

Milan Coach Gennaro Gattuso already apologised during his Press conference and said there would be extra training sessions rather than let players “twiddle their thumbs” on phones, while suggesting big clubs limit use of social media.

Bakayoko and Kessie later apologised via social media, insisting it was only meant in jest and not as an insult.