European football governing body, UEFA, has banned Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for three matches over comments he made about the referee after Juventus lost in the Champions League quarter-finals in April.
Buffon was enraged by English referee Michael Oliver’s decision to award Real Madrid a stoppage-time penalty kick during the second leg at the Bernabeu.
The Italian lost control, screaming at and jostling the Englishman until he was shown a red card.
Cristiano Ronaldo converted the spot-kick and Real lost the match 3-1 to win the tie 4-3 on aggregate.
“The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has decided to suspend Juventus player Gianluigi Buffon for three UEFA competition matches for which he would be otherwise eligible,” UEFA said in a statement on its website on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old Buffon, who left Juventus after 17 seasons at the club, criticised Oliver after the match.
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He said the referee had been out of his depth, should have been in the stands eating crisps and must have a garbage bin for a heart.
UEFA also banned AS Roma supporters for two away games after fan violence left one Liverpool supporter in a critical condition ahead of the Champions League semi-final at Anfield.
Roma’s ban for the second match has been deferred under a probationary period of two years, UEFA added in the statement.
The Italian club were also fined 50,000 euros (about $58,330).
Merseyside Police arrested two men from Rome in April after Liverpool supporter Sean Cox was left with serious injuries following an attack.
