Austria will be without forward Marko Arnautovic for Thursday’s Euro 2020 Group C match against the Netherlands after he was handed a one-match ban by UEFA.
An investigation was opened by UEFA after Arnautovic’s angry goal celebration in Austria’s opening win over North Macedonia after coming on as a substitute on Sunday.
Arnautovic, who has Serbian background, apologised on Monday for his reaction towards North Macedonia fans but denied he had used racist language towards them.
North Macedonia’s soccer governing body (FFM) said Arnautovic’s remarks were aimed at their player Gjanni Alioski, who has Albanian roots.
The UEFA Appeals Body said on Wednesday it had suspended Arnautovic for one game for “insulting” another player.
Serbia does not recognise the independence of its former province Kosovo, while there is historic tension between Serbia and North Macedonia.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
Photo Marko Arnautovic (R) of Austria celebrates with team-mates after scoring the 3-1 goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 group C preliminary round soccer match between Austria and North Macedonia in Bucharest, Romania, 13 June 2021. EPA-EFE/Robert Ghement / POOL
