UEFA have confirmed that they will be investigating the incident involving Marko Arnautovic after the Austria striker scored in a 3-1 win over North Macedonia at Euro 2020.
The former West Ham and Stoke City striker has apologised for his reaction towards North Macedonia supporters after scoring on Sunday, but has denied that he used racist language against them.
Arnautovic came on as a second-half substitute in the win on Sunday evening, scoring late on and reacting angrily before Austria captain David Alaba attempted to subdue him.
The 32-year-old insists that despite "heated words" being used following his goal, he is not racist.
"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 post 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."
The North Macedonian football federation had called on UEFA to investigate remarks made towards supporters, with initial reports also suggesting that Arnautovic's anger was directed at Ezgjan Alioski and Egzon Bejtulai - players who both have Albanian roots.
"The FFM strongly condemns the nationalistic outburst of Austrian player Marko Arnautovic, after a goal scored in yesterday’s match, addressed to Ezgjan Alioski," the Football Federation of Macedonia (FFM) said in a statement.
"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."
And UEFA has now confirmed that they will be conducting an investigation into the matter, with an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector appointed to work on the matter.
UEFA said in a statement: "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.
