Buffon Defends Juventus Fans After Anti-Balotelli Chants

During Juventus' last two matches against Udinese and Bordeaux in the Champions League, a section of their fanbase were heard making chants against Inter starlet Mario Balotelli.

Although many think there were some racist undertones to the chants, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon doesn't agree and he came to the defence of the Bianconeri faithful.

"Racist chants certainly aren't good for football or for anyone else," he said to Sky Sport 24. "It's always right to stigmatise them and take positions. However, it's important not to give them too much importance, or mistake chants against a particular player for racism. I think Juve's fans are fair and I'm sure that during the match against Inter there won't be any chants against Balotelli."

Buffon also talked about the rumours linking fellow Italian international Gennaro Gattuso with a move away from AC Milan.

"It's certainly not an easy moment for him, but I don't see him leaving Milan," he continued. "He is a symbol of that team, I really couldn't see him in another shirt."

On young goalkeeping talent Federico Marchetti of Cagliari, Buffon said, "He is a very good goalkeeper, he's a good lad and he has great qualities. In Italy he's certainly the goalkeeper I like the most, he reminds me of myself when I was young."

Danilo Pochini, Goal.com