The Austrian international Marko Arnautovic has been banned from playing at the European Championship for insulting an opponent.
This was announced by the European Football Union UEFA this Wednesday after a decision by its competent chamber.
This means that the former Bundesliga professional will not be available for the game against the Netherlands on Thursday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the European Football Championship as well as on ZDF and MagentaTV) in Amsterdam.
The Serbian-born striker was accused of insulting the opposing Albanian-born player Ezgjan Alioski after scoring the 3-1 final score during the game on Sunday, including making racist remarks. UEFA did not classify the 32-year-old's remarks as racism, as stated in the association's communication from the stated article of the statutes (“Insulting players or other people present at the match”).
"I publicly admitted my misconduct when celebrating the goal on my own initiative, even before proceedings were initiated, and apologized for it," said Arnautovic in a statement from the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) on Wednesday. "There were regretful remarks from both sides, but provocations are no justification for my behavior." Immediately after the game there was "a discussion and a mutual apology".
“I grew up with people from a wide variety of countries and cultures and I clearly stand for diversity. Everyone who knows me knows that. It is very important to me personally to emphasize that. Together with the ÖFB, I stand for tolerance and integration in all areas of society, ”said the former attacker from Werder Bremen. “Because integration is so important to me through my own history, I would like to take this case as an opportunity and make 25,000 euros available for my integration project, in which I myself act as a patron, so that my bad behavior is a good consequence for more Has cohesion. Above all, I want to be a good role model for children and young people. "
He got to know Arnautovic "as a good-hearted person," said Austria's national coach Franco Foda.
“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. "
The association of North Macedonia sent a letter of complaint to UEFA on Monday demanding "the severest punishment for the Austrian national player".
Alioski had stated that he did not understand exactly what Arnautovic said after the goal.
Serbs and Albanians have been considered enemies for decades.