UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin has hailed Gianluigi Buffon as a ’gentleman‘, despite his ‘unacceptable’ behaviour during Real Madrid-Juventus.
Buffon was sent off for excessive dissent towards Michael Oliver after he took issue with the referee’s decision to award Madrid a stoppage-time penalty, which ultimately knocked Juve out of the Champions League and sent Los Blancos into the semi-finals.
“After the game, I talked to a lot of people, with Agnelli, Collina…” the European football chief told La Stampa.
UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin has hailed Gianluigi Buffon as a ’gentleman‘, despite his ‘unacceptable’ behaviour during Real Madrid-Juventus.
Buffon was sent off for excessive dissent towards Michael Oliver after he took issue with the referee’s decision to award Madrid a stoppage-time penalty, which ultimately knocked Juve out of the Champions League and sent Los Blancos into the semi-finals.
“After the game, I talked to a lot of people, with Agnelli, Collina…” the European football chief told La Stampa.
“it was a particular situation. There was so much passion at stake, and it’s difficult to draw the line between venting and insults.
“Certainly Buffon’s reaction isn’t justifiable. It’s humanly understandable, but not acceptable.
“Did he cross the line? For sure. He is a gentleman and not a troublemaker, but what’s wrong is wrong.
“There’s a disciplinary procedure and I won’t enter it. However, I believe any punishment should take the person into account.”