Gianluigi Buffon hit back at the “stupid controversy” around VAR. “I never said I was against it, just that it shouldn’t be abused.”
The Juventus captain was criticised for complaining that the new Video Assistant Referee technology was “turning football into water polo” with constant stoppages.
“As I said from the start, it will be a very useful tool and I never said I was against it,” Buffon told Rai Sport.
Gianluigi Buffon hit back at the “stupid controversy” around VAR. “I never said I was against it, just that it shouldn’t be abused.”
The Juventus captain was criticised for complaining that the new Video Assistant Referee technology was “turning football into water polo” with constant stoppages.
“As I said from the start, it will be a very useful tool and I never said I was against it,” Buffon told Rai Sport.
“It’s a shame that when someone tries to make constructive criticism to help out, the concept becomes deformed in the media.
“I saw stupid controversy around this and it’s not good for anyone, let alone football. I am 40 years old, I’ve been in football for 23 years, I am not the last idiot to turn up. Maybe the penultimate idiot…
“I believe my thoughts merit being listened to. I merely said that VAR should be used and not abused. I never said I was against it – I am in favour.
“I also heard that referees were irritated, when in fact I was trying to support them. It’s embarrassing and it’s really sad when I hear talk of controversy or conspiracies.”