Gianluigi Buffon admits to being “extremely sorry” for the referee rant which led to him being dismissed by Michael Oliver during Juventus’ Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid.
With emotions running high towards the end of a thrilling contest at Santiago Bernabeu, tempers boiled over when the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty.
Buffon, incensed at Michael Oliver’s decision to pull Medhi Benatia up for a nudge on Lucas Vazquez, led the protests and earned himself a red card – preventing him from facing a spot-kick which Cristiano Ronaldo eventually converted to send Madrid through.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper would later accuse the English match official of having “a garbage bin for a heart” and claimed to have no regrets at having aired his opinion in the manner in which he did.
Buffon has, however, had time to reflect since then and speaking at a press conference in which a summer departure from Juventus was confirmed, he said: “I said a few days later that I went over the line and that's evident.
“I am extremely sorry about that, as over 23 years of Champions League career, I was never sent off or suspended, so I feel that I behaved fairly and in a sporting manner with everyone.
“It was a particular situation and a few days later I confessed the Buffon of that day, with the sentiments and feelings of that night, couldn't help but say those things.”
He added: “A few days later, clearly, I was sorry to have 'offended' the referee, because at the end of the day he is a human being who does a very difficult job.
“If I'd seen him two days later, I'd have hugged Michael Oliver and apologised, but also said he could've been a bit calmer in such an important game for us and for me.
“Nothing more than that. I am not someone who carries bitterness.”
That outing against Madrid may prove to be Buffon’s last in Champions League competition, as his future remains unclear.
He has stopped short of announcing his retirement and admitted to having received a number of exciting proposals, in both on and off-field roles.
Were he to join another leading club then a quest to land European football’s biggest prize for the first time in his career may continue, although he will be due to serve a ban.
He has offered no indication as where he will end up in 2018-19, but the exit door has opened in Turin and an iconic figure is moving on with his conscience clear.