North Macedonia FA call for Marko Arnautovic punishment following exchange with Leeds United's Gjanni Alioski in Austria clash

The former West Ham United and Stoke City attacker, whose father is Serbian, scored Austria's third goal in his nation's opening 3-1 Euros group stage victory on Sunday night over North Macedonia.

Arnautiovic appeared to turn and scream in the direction of Whites full-back Alioski, who is of Albanian heritage, as his team celebrated securing all three points.

Austrian captain David Alaba sprinted to the striker and grabbed his face in what appeared to be an attempt to quiet him - but the North Macedonian FA has now called for action to be taken against the forward.

"The Football Federation of Macedonia strongly condemns the nationalistic outbreak of Austrian representative Marko Arnautovic, after a goal scored in yesterday's match with Macedonia addressed to Macedonian representative Ezgjan Alioski," a statement read.

"At the same time we inform you that we have submitted an official letter to UEFA demanding the harshest punishment for Austrian representative Marko Arnautovic.

"As a 'House of Football' 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."

Alioski and Arnautović were seen in conversation at the full-time whistle in Bucharest before the latter took to social media to issue an apology over the incident.

"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," he wrote.

"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."

A spokesperson for UEFA told the YEP: "There are no disciplinary proceedings opened following the three EURO matches played yesterday."