UEFA open investigation into Marko Arnautovic’s alleged racist outburst during his celebration against North Macedonia… and Austria striker faces BAN from the rest of Euro 2020 if found guilty of slurs towards Egzon Bejtulai and Gjanni Alioski
UEFA has appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate Austria striker Marko Arnautovic’s reaction to his goal against North Macedonia.
And should a racist element be proven in his celebrations, Arnautovic could be banned from the rest of the tournament.
The former Stoke and West Ham frontman, who is currently playing his football in China with Shanghai Port, was restrained by skipper David Alaba as he gestured angrily after scoring late in Sunday’s 3-1 Group C victory in Romania.
Marko Arnautovic is being investigated by UEFA following his alleged racial outburst
He allegedly made a racial slur following his late strike, saying ‘I’m f***ing your Albanian mother’ in the direction of Ezgjan Alioski, according to Koha.
A UEFA statement said: ‘In accordance with the Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to conduct an investigation regarding the incident involving the player Marko Arnautovic that occurred during the 2020 European Championship group-stage match between the national teams of Austria and North Macedonia on 13 June 2021.
‘Further information on this matter will be made available in due course.’
The incident came in the 89th minute of the game at the National Arena in Bucharest when, after beating North Macedonia keeper Stole Dimitrievski, Arnautovic, who is of Serbian heritage, appeared to make comments towards opposition players and then turned towards spectators.
Reports have alleged his initial remarks were aimed at defender Egzon Bejtulai and Gjanni Alioski, who both have Albanian roots.
The reason for the slur appears to relate to the Kosovo War, in which Serbia and Albania came into conflict over the Kosovo region. Arnautovic, whose father is Serbian, came to blows with Alioski, who can speak Albanian.
Reports claimed Arnautovic allegedly told Ezgjan Alioski ‘I’m f***ing your Albanian mother’
The same report suggests that Arnautovic made the slur in Serbian, believing that the Leeds United star would understand him.
Arnautovic later apologised for his outburst, but insisted he was not a racist.
In a post on his official Instagram account, he wrote: ‘There were some heated words yesterday in the emotions of the game for which I would like to apologise – especially to my friends from North Macedonia and Albania.
‘I would like to say one thing very clearly: I am not a racist. I have friends in almost every country and I stand for diversity. Everyone who knows me is aware of that.’
The 32-year-old posted a statement on social media to apologise and insist he is not racist