Austria fans defend Marko Arnautovic by sneaking ‘censored’ cut-out into stadium

Austria fans have defended star forward Marko Arnautovic by sneaking a cut-out of him into the stadium with a ‘censored’ badge.

The former West Ham forward has been forced to watch his country’s Euro 2020 clash against the Netherlands from the stands.

This is due to him being banned by UEFA for shouting at North Macedonia player Gjanni Alioski “I f***ed your mum” during their 3-1 to open the campaign.

Arnautovic has since apologised for the incident on Instagram – and he seems to have the support of his country’s supporters.

As the national anthems were played at the Johan Cruyff Arena, the cameras picked up a cut-out of the 32-year-old that had been placed.

There were two pieces of tape over his mouth in a cross as well as a sign saying ‘censored’ across his chest.

The player himself was at the ground for the Euro 2020 game, sitting in the seats behind the technical area to watch his side concede a penalty after 10 minutes which Memphis Depay scored.

UEFA intervened with the abuse due to the political nature behind the two players.

Arnautovic is of Serbian descent while Alioski has Albanian heritage, with the two countries in conflict over the sovereignty of Kosovo.

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And an investigation by Europe’s top footballing body banned the Austrian for one game at the ongoing tournament.

The former West Ham man was charged with "Insulting another player, Art. 15(1)(a)(iv) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations."

And, as a result, the UEFA appeals board decided: "To suspend Austrian Football Association player, Marko Arnautovic, for the next (1) UEFA representative team competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible, for insulting another player."

Arnautovic responded to claims of racism through his Instagram account: "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.

"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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