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Marko Arnautović (left) is said to have insulted North Macedonia's Ezgjan Alioski
Photo:
JUSTIN SETTERFIELD / AFP
The Austrian Marko Arnautović has been banned from a game by the UEFA Disciplinary Commission for "insulting the opponent".
The 32-year-old will not be available to his country for the second round of the European Football Championship 2021 against the Netherlands on Thursday (9 p.m .: live ticker: SPIEGEL.de; TV: ZDF).
According to Uefa, Arnautović insulted North Macedonian player Ezgjan Alioski during his celebration of the goal to make it 3-1. He is said to have made racist statements. Initially, the association had stated that there would be no investigations, but it started on Tuesday.
"I publicly admitted my misconduct at the goal celebration on my own initiative, even before proceedings were initiated, and apologized for it," Arnautović is quoted in a statement by the Austrian Association (ÖFB). “There have been regrettable statements from both sides, but provocations are no justification for my behavior. Immediately after the game there was a debate and mutual apology. I grew up with people from different countries and cultures and I stand for diversity very clearly. Everyone who knows me knows that, ”the statement continued.
“I got to know Marko as a kind-hearted person.
He has admitted his wrongdoing and apologized publicly.
The players concerned have spoken out and shaken hands.
Our full focus is on the game against the Netherlands.
In the final group game against Ukraine, Marko will once again show how important he is for our team, «said team boss Franco Foda on the ÖFB website.
The association of North Macedonia announced on Facebook on Monday evening that it had sent a letter of complaint to UEFA calling for "the severest punishment" for the Austrian international.
What exactly Arnautović called is unclear.
"The audience cheered and I couldn't hear exactly what Arnautović was calling out to me," Alioski said.
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