June 15 – Just a few days into the multi-venue Euros and the spectre of nationalism is hanging over the tournament. Following the Ukraine shirt debacle prior to the competition which so irked Russia and prompted an official protest, North Macedonia is the latest team to be at the centre of historic political divisions.
The country’s federation has submitted a request to UEFA asking for Austria striker Marko Arnautović to be punished for a controversial reaction after he scored in Austria’s 3-1 win. Arnautovic appeared to be shouting insults at his opponents and their fans, leading to his captain David Alaba attempting to quieten him.
Following the Macedonian complaint, UEFA have appointed an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to “conduct an investigation” into the incident saying only that “further information on this matter will be made available in due course.”
The North Macedonian federation said his conduct was deliberately aimed at Ezgjan Alioski, who is of Albanian origin. Arnautović’s father is Serbian.
Serbia does not recognise the independence of its former province Kosovo, while there is historic tension between Serbia and North Macedonia. At the 2018 World Cup, Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, both of Albanian-Kosovan heritage, received fines for gestures they made during a game against Serbia.
“The FFM strongly condemns the nationalistic outburst of Austrian player Marko Arnautovic, after a goal scored in yesterday’s match, addressed to Ezgjan Alioski,” a North Macedonia statement said. “At the same time, we inform you that we have submitted an official letter to UEFA demanding the harshest punishment for Arnautovic.”
“We are always against nationalism, discrimination and all other forms of insults and outbursts that are not in the spirit of football and values that we all stand together. We will always stand up and defend the interests and dignity of Macedonian national players wherever they perform.”
Arnautovic denied using racist language during the match in Bucharest, but apologised for his reaction after scoring in the 89th minute.
“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 on Instagram.
“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. Everyone who knows me is aware of that.”
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