Former West Ham striker and potential transfer target Marko Arnautovic has been handed a one-match ban for insulting a North Macadeonian player.
The incident took place on Sunday after Arnautovic scored Austria's third goal and the striker turned to taunt the North Macedonian players Egzon Bejtulal of KF Shkëndija and Leeds United man Ezgjan Alioski.
The former Hammers striker apologised for the incident but denied using racist language, as Arnautovic posted on Instagram:
"There were some heated words yesterday in the emotions of the game for which I would like to APOLOGIZE — especially to my friends from North Macedonia and Albania.
"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."
The North Macedonian football federation submitted a request to UEFA to punish Arnautovic for a 'nationalistic outburst' and the player has since been suspended for one match.
The 32-year-old will miss Austria's second match of the tournament, a clash with the Netherlands on Thursday, June 17.
He will be available for selection for the final group game on Monday, June 21 against Ukraine, a game that could see him come up against his former Hammers teammate Andriy Yarmolenko.
Arnautovic has been linked with a move back to West Ham this summer, however, the astronomic wages he earns in China and his desire for a three-year deal seem to be a stumbling block.
With David Moyes looking to add young hungry players to his squad a move for the Austrian would appear unlikely at this stage.
