Leeds United defender Gjanni Alioski addresses Marko Arnautovic outburst after UEFA open investigation

Leeds United's Gjanni Alioski has addressed the outburst by Austria forward Marko Arnautovic which has led to a UEFA investigation.
Leeds United's Gjanni Alioski and Marko Arnautovic talk during North Macedonia against Austria. Pic: GettyLeeds United's Gjanni Alioski and Marko Arnautovic talk during North Macedonia against Austria. Pic: Getty
Leeds United's Gjanni Alioski and Marko Arnautovic talk during North Macedonia against Austria. Pic: Getty

Alioski - who is of Albanian heritage - was the target of apparent abuse from Arnautovic, who is of Serbian heritage, during North Macedonia's 3-1 defeat to Austria at the Euros.

The former West Ham and Stoke City forward could be seen shouting and gesturing in Alioski's direction following his goal during the Group C clash in Bucharest.

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Austrian captain David Alaba sprinted to the striker and grabbed his face in what seemed to be an attempt to quiet him.

The Football Federation of Macedonia called for Arnautovic to face punishment for what they called a 'nationalistic outbreak' after the striker apologised for his actions on social media, insisting he was not racist.

UEFA have now confirmed they have opened a case to investigate following the incident and Alioski is happy to let Europe's governing body move the issue forward.

“I don’t know what he told me," Alioski said, reflecting on the game.

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"His words were hard to understand against the background noise. There are things like that in every game. The most important thing is that we shook hands in the end. That was all clear.

“Uefa has video recordings of the scene that they will look at and analyse. The Uefa authorities have to decide how things will continue."

Before the call from his nation's football association to punish Arnautovic, Alioski had revealed that the pair had spoken at the end of the game to clarify the encounter.

"In such matches it is normal for players to experience tension and get out of control, but the best part is when everything is finally clarified and you agree," he said.

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"Arnautovic and I talked after the match and clarified, as he apologised to me and came to our room and shook my hand, being very fair.

"I did not hear what he said, as the fans were celebrating, but we spoke German after the match and agreed after the match.

"It's something that happens after the match to capture the emotions in the match, but it is best when everything is clarified."

UEFA have revealed that an ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to look into the incident.

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