BOURNEMOUTH star Arnaut Danjuma has relived the horror of being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in a police swoop just days before lockdown.
The Dutch international was walking through the town centre when cops came out of nowhere and slapped him in handcuffs following a stabbing on March 16.
Bournemouth star Arnaut Danjuma has revealed he was mistakenly arrested on suspicion of attempted murderCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Officers freed the £13.7million winger without charge when they realised they had apprehended the wrong man.
Danjuma explained it was the latest in a series of occasions when he had been stopped by the police and shone a light on the frustrations of life as a black man in Britain 2020.
Danjuma told SunSport: “I was walking through the town and going to the Hilton to eat something.
“Suddenly there was a police car there and two police officers came out of it. One said ‘Put your hands on the fence!’.
“I asked, ‘What did I do?’ They said ‘Put your hands on the fence, shut up!’
“So I put my hands on the fence and asked again, ‘What did I do?’ They said to wait for the other officers to arrive.
“They came and I asked again. It was embarrassing. People were taking pictures and it got me frustrated so I went mad on the cop.
“I told him things I shouldn’t have said. But I got frustrated and angry and in the end he said, ‘You’re not the one we’re looking for, you can go’.”
Suddenly there was a police car there and two police officers came out of it. One said ‘Put your hands on the fence!’. I asked, ‘What did I do?’ They said ‘Put your hands on the fence, shut up!’
Bournemouth star Arnaut Danjuma
Danjuma, 23, does not recall the police apologising for the case of mistaken identity but decided against making a formal complaint.
And when Bournemouth FC officials asked Danjuma if he wanted to make a public statement about the incident he opted to focus on his return from injury.
Talking about the Black Lives Matter movement and the bigotry he feels he has faced throughout his life, Danjuma added: “I’ve been through racism a lot and have developed a skin against it.
“There are loads of things that happen regularly to me. The police will stop me every now and then just because I drive a huge car.
“Then they will just say it’s a check-up, but you know it’s not a check-up.”
The Cherries winger, who faced homelessness and foster care as a child, remains eternally optimistic and would shudder at the thought of being treated any differently because of the adversity he has faced.
He added: “I’ve never let myself believe that I’m in a difficult situation.
“I’ve been aware of it but if you want to get out of it, you should create a skin against everything that is going to make you negative.
“There are no regrets about telling my story.
“But I don’t want to use it as an excuse either.
“I absolutely hate if people use certain things like that against me and then treat me nice, or in a different way.
“I want to be treated like anyone else and if there’s something wrong, you should tell me.”
The Dutchman has received no apology from the policeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Danjuma was born in Lagos to Nigerian mother Hauwa and Dutch father Cees.
But they moved to Holland when the couple divorced and Danjuma was just four.
The young boy, his mum, brother Reinier and sister Lisette were homeless for a time — and would even sleep in the car when friends were unable to put them up.
Danjuma then went into foster care. He did not enjoy the experience, particularly as his foster family would not take him to school or football.
Then aged 11, a court ruled Danjuma could return to live with his dad, which coincided with him joining the PSV Eindhoven youth set-up.
From there his story took him to NEC Nijmegen, to the Champions League via Club Brugge in Belgium and finally to the riches of the Premier League with Bournemouth.
But he has never lost sight of his tough upbringing despite his new-found wealth and remains keen to pay back his good fortune to society where he can.
He is even financing water wells in Somalia, Afghanistan, Palestine and Niger.
His time on the streets has seen him connect with those in similar desperate situations in Bournemouth.
Danjuma said: “There’s a homeless guy I know.
“When I have the chance, I’ll have a chat with him, take him out to dinner, have some drinks, stuff like that. Just to see the things he needs are taken care of.
“If you’ve seen that type of life, then you really know how difficult it is.
“If you’re the one in need of help, and no one is offering, that’s the worst situation — you’re on your own.
“That’s when you need to be tough, when it’s really you against the world.
“If you’re in a position when you can help others, then you definitely should.”
Danjuma claims he has experienced racism many times.
He is encouraged by the Black Lives Matter movement, which has gained momentum worldwide in the wake of the death of American George Floyd at the hands of police.
Yet the Dutch international maintains education is the way to make changes.
Two women support the Black Lives Matter movement in London last weekCredit: Reuters
He said: “I’m always careful with putting people into groups. You can’t say all white people, all black people, all this, all that, it’s always an individual. You always have sick individuals that don’t fit in society and do crazy things.
“What’s happening now in America is cruelty at its finest, it’s awful, it’s horrific and really disgusting.
“But you should hold the person accountable who is doing it. I bet there are loads of good white officers in America as well.
“I’m proud of the black community, that they stand up for their rights, but I’m more proud of the white community which stands up for the black community. It shows other people care as well.
“But you should not lose sight of what you fight for.
“I’ve seen loads of videos of people looting and shoplifting. That’s not going to help.
“The size of what is going on is huge. It’s all over the world. The awareness it has raised is of huge benefit.
“People need to educate themselves on history, that’s where it starts. There are children that don’t have a realistic view of the world. As a parent you have a huge role.
“If you don’t raise them in a proper way and don’t teach them values, they will always take a wrong turn.”
Danjuma does not agree that violence, rioting and looting will solve anythingCredit: London News Pictures
Danjuma has experienced far more hardship than most.
But just like any player, his main focus is on excelling at what he is paid to do.
That will now be possible with football returning — and the Cherries host Crystal Palace on Saturday.
After an injury-plagued maiden Prem campaign that has limited him to just nine appearances, Danjuma is determined to help save Bournemouth from the drop.
The £13.7million star said: “The most frustrating part of it all has been seeing your team lose in the stands and not play any part in it.
“I’m hungry to show the world what I’m capable of.”
Hector Bellerin talks to Deandre Yedlin about the Black Lives Matter movement
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
