UEFA open investigation into Marko Arnautovic’s and Gjanni Alioski incident’s in Euro 2020 clash
UEFA have confirmed they have opened an investigation into Austria striker Marko Arnautovic’s outburst aimed at Leeds United defender Gjanni Alioski during a Euro 2020 clash.
Arnautovic celebrated his goal in Austria’s 3-1 win over North Macedonia with a rant in the direction of Alioski, who is of Albanian heritage.
The Football Federation of North Macedonia last night called for Arnautovic to face punishment for a ‘nationalistic outbreak’ addressed to Alioski and confirmed they had submitted an official complaint to UEFA.
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“As a ‘House of Football’ we are always against nationalism, discrimination and all other forms of insults and outbursts that are not in the spirit of football and values that we all stand together,” said a spokesperson.
UEFA have today revealed that an ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to look into the incident.
A 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 Arnautović that occurred during the 2020 European Championship group-stage match between the national teams of Austria and North Macedonia on 13 June 2021.”
Arnautovic posted an apology for his outburst on his Instagram page, insisting he was not a racist
“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,” he wrote.
“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.”
Source: afrosporty.com
