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BSP-36
FBL-EUR-C1-ITA-JUVENTUS-BUFFON-UEFA-REFEREE
UEFA ban Buffon for three matches after referee rant
LAUSANNE, June 5, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Outgoing Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi
Buffon was on Tuesday banned for three European matches for his red card and
comments about referee Michael Oliver after the Italian side’s dramatic
Champions League quarter-final loss to Real Madrid last month.
The 40-year-old had been charged both with breaching UEFA’s “general
principles of conduct” over his outburst and also for his red card for
dissent.
European football’s governing body announced Tuesday that Buffon was
suspended for “three UEFA competition matches for which he would be otherwise
eligible”.
The last-eight clash between holders Real and Juventus was decided by a
last-gasp Cristiano Ronaldo penalty after the Serie A champions had staged a
remarkable comeback to wipe out a 3-0 first-leg deficit at the Santiago
Bernabeu.
But Buffon, who was sent off in the aftermath of the penalty decision,
lashed out at Oliver’s decision to award the spot-kick, saying the English
official had a “rubbish bin for a heart”.
The 2006 World Cup winner, who did not renew his contract with Juventus,
could however be playing for Paris Saint-Germain next season.
He said on Monday he needed a week before making a decision on whether to
head to the French capital or not.
BSS/AFP/MRI/2023 hrs