AUSTRIA FORWARD MARKO Arnautovic has been given a one-game Euro 2020 ban for insulting a North Macedonia player in his side’s opening match at the tournament, Uefa said today.
Uefa said Arnautovic had been punished for “insulting another player” and the 32-year-old will miss his side’s match against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday as a result.
European football’s governing body had opened an investigation into Arnautovic following the incident in Sunday’s 3-1 win over North Macedonia in Bucharest.
The former West Ham United player, who now plays for Shanghai Port in China, netted Austria’s third goal in the game and then launched into an ill-tempered celebration until his team-mate David Alaba intervened to calm him down.
Media reports claimed he insulted Leeds United’s Ezgjan Alioski, referring to the North Macedonia defender’s Albanian heritage.
“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,” Arnautovic said in a statement posted on social media on Tuesday.
“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.”
The 42 looking a bit silly now…. when including Clare in “others” when asking who would win the national league a few weeks ago
Better second half from Cork, Lehane and Cadogan badly missed. Clare fully deserved the win .
@Sean O’Shea: ya they were shocking in the first half, scrappy game. Rallied in the second half but plenty of work needs done!
This is just the league. Let’s not read too much into any game. Cork look like a bunch of lads who are still doing alot of heavy gym work and running with minimal hurling done. I see fellas judging Meyler already. Let him be judged during the summer when the real games start, and let’s likewise judge Clare at that point too – they seem to be going hell for leather for the league this year playing a full strength team in every game so far.
@Jonathan Tuohy: I’d imagine that will change for the next 2 games and everyone will get a run , better to give lads a game now when 1/4 is secured
@Jonathan Tuohy: Those in the know would tell you all isnt rosey behind the scenes in that Cork dressing room. Very worrying if true considering the young talent available.
Poor game, Clare should have won by a cricket score. Eoin Cadogan is no addition what so ever at full back for cork, he’s way off the pace. Been away from the game for too long.
@Ray Farrell: Disagree. 3 games played, only team not to have conceded a goal.
Half lines for Cork today were very poor (Timmy O’Mahony aside). Looked so leggy and still can’t win their own ball. Fast track team, which worries me, because some games you have to muscle a win.