Legend, Buffon Bags Three-game Ban over Comments Made about Referee

Legend, Buffon Bags Three-game Ban over Comments Made about Referee

Legendary Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been suspended for three UEFA competition matches in the wake of his red card and behaviour during Juventus‘ Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, the governing body has announced.

Buffon was sent off in the second leg of the tie after protesting to referee Michael Oliver about the Englishman’s decision to award a stoppage-time penalty against the Italian side, which led to Real Madrid’s winning goal.

“The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has decided to suspend the Juventus Football Club player Gianluigi Buffon for three (3) UEFA competition matches for which he would be otherwise eligible,” the governing body said in a statement.

Buffon apologised to Michael Oliver for his behaviour in a press conference in which he announced he would be leaving Juventus after 17 years at the club.

“It is obvious that I have transgressed and I am sorry,” he said.

“But it was a very special situation. I couldn’t do anything else but say those things and I am sorry to have offended the referee.”

Buffon had insisted Oliver had a ‘rubbish bin where his heart should be’ after the Englishman awarded a controversial last-minute penalty.

From the telegraph