Marko Arnautovic could miss rest of Euro 2020 if found guilty of racism

UEFA have appointed an ethics inspector to look into the allegations.

Marko Arnautovic could miss the rest of Euro 2020 if he is found guilty of using a racial slur during his Austrian side's 3-1 victory against North Macedonia on Sunday. Arnautovic is accused of making a racial slur during his celebration after scoring the third goal against North Macedonia. UEFA have now appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate the Austrian forward's reaction to his goal. Arnautovic allegedly said "I'm fucking your Albanian mother" in the direction of North Macedonian defender Ezgjan Alioski, according to Albanian news site Koha. In a statement UEFA 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 Arnautovic that occurred during the 2020 European Championship group-stage match between the national teams of Austria and North Macedonia on 13 June 2021.

"Further information on this matter will be made available in due course."

The incident came in the 89th minute of the game when, after scoring his side's third goal to wrap up the win for them, Arnautovic, who is of Serbian heritage, appeared to make comments towards opposition players and then turned towards spectators.

Reports have alleged his initial remarks were aimed at defender Egzon Bejtulai and Gjanni Alioski, who both have Albanian roots.

The slur appears to be a reference to the Kosovo War, in which Serbia and Albania came into conflict over the Kosovo region. Alioski can speak Albanian, and came to blows with Arnautovic, whose father is Serbian. It seems that Arnautovic made the slur in Serbian so that Alioski would understand him. The ex-West Ham star has since apologised for his behaviour, saying that he is not racist and "stands for diversity."