Gianluigi Buffon (117 Viewers)
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Buffon Happy For Aquittal
"I knew that I had done nothing wrong and I am very happy," Buffon was quoted as saying by his lawyer, Silvano Martina.
Martina said Buffon was always confident he would be acquitted.
"He was convinced of his innocence and we knew that it would end positively," Martina said.
AFP
"I knew that I had done nothing wrong and I am very happy," Buffon was quoted as saying by his lawyer, Silvano Martina.
Martina said Buffon was always confident he would be acquitted.
"He was convinced of his innocence and we knew that it would end positively," Martina said.
AFP
ROME (AP) — The Italian soccer federation ended an investigation into alleged illegal betting by Italy's World Cup-winning goalkeeper.
Proceedings against Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon were dropped, the federation said in a statement Friday. Similar allegations concerning Cagliari goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti, Sevilla midfielder Enzo Maresca and Messina defender Mark Iuliano also were dropped.:choc:
Buffon acknowledged he gambled on various sports events and non-Italian soccer games in the past, but said he stopped when the soccer federation banned the practice in November 2005.
The allegations surfaced shortly before the World Cup last summer when several top Italian clubs became embroiled in a match-fixing scandal.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi resisted calls to exclude Buffon from his lineup, and the goalkeeper gave up only an own-goal and a penalty kick during Italy's seven-game World Cup run. Italy beat France in the final on penalty kicks.
Buffon plays in Italy's Serie B after Juventus was demoted in the match-fixing scandal.:faq2:
USA Today
Proceedings against Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon were dropped, the federation said in a statement Friday. Similar allegations concerning Cagliari goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti, Sevilla midfielder Enzo Maresca and Messina defender Mark Iuliano also were dropped.:choc:
Buffon acknowledged he gambled on various sports events and non-Italian soccer games in the past, but said he stopped when the soccer federation banned the practice in November 2005.
The allegations surfaced shortly before the World Cup last summer when several top Italian clubs became embroiled in a match-fixing scandal.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi resisted calls to exclude Buffon from his lineup, and the goalkeeper gave up only an own-goal and a penalty kick during Italy's seven-game World Cup run. Italy beat France in the final on penalty kicks.
Buffon plays in Italy's Serie B after Juventus was demoted in the match-fixing scandal.:faq2:
USA Today
Messi And Buffon In Moratti's Dream
For next summer's transfer market, the Nerazzurri have two main targets: Lionel Messi and Gigi Buffon.
With Inter dominating the Serie A and still in the run for the Champions League, Massimo Moratti wants to strengthen the squad further for the next season and has already found the two main priorities of the transfer market.
Messi and Buffon will in fact be the main targets for the Nerazzurri to reinforce an already strong squad. Both players have been linked to Inter various times in the past months and Moratti will do his utmost to lure them to his club.
For the Argentinean player, Moratti is ready to do anything, whereas for the Italian goalkeeper, things might be easier considering Juventus' financial situation.
For the time being, the Nerazzurri are seriously considering bring David Beckham to Milan if Luis Figo leaves for Saudi Arabia as it has been widely reported in the news
For next summer's transfer market, the Nerazzurri have two main targets: Lionel Messi and Gigi Buffon.
With Inter dominating the Serie A and still in the run for the Champions League, Massimo Moratti wants to strengthen the squad further for the next season and has already found the two main priorities of the transfer market.
Messi and Buffon will in fact be the main targets for the Nerazzurri to reinforce an already strong squad. Both players have been linked to Inter various times in the past months and Moratti will do his utmost to lure them to his club.
For the Argentinean player, Moratti is ready to do anything, whereas for the Italian goalkeeper, things might be easier considering Juventus' financial situation.
For the time being, the Nerazzurri are seriously considering bring David Beckham to Milan if Luis Figo leaves for Saudi Arabia as it has been widely reported in the news
such a bs can only come from you 
Buffon's New Year message Sunday 31 December, 2006
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Gianluigi Buffon sums up his 2006 between great joy and heartache, including the World Cup victory and how he discovered he was not the Ballon d’Or winner.
“It’s difficult to sum up a whole year in one word. Let’s just say it alternated between peaks of incredible joy and achievement, then unfortunately some moments of extreme sadness,” he told 'Tuttosport’.
His year started with poor form sparked by a long shoulder injury lay-off, but he recovered to take the Scudetto with Juventus – later revoked in the Calciopoli scandal – and the World Cup.
“The tournament in Germany went beyond our wildest expectations. Even among teams who are the favourites there is only a dream, imagine what we felt like going into that competition in a sea of problems!”
Yet the Calciopoli trial proved to be a turning point for the Azzurri. “It united us as a group of players, as sticking together was the only way to stay afloat. That survival instinct helped us to overcome the obstacles. As for the two titles stripped from Juventus, I think they were from the club rather than the players. At the end of the day, it’s just numbers, we know what we achieved.”
Buffon was also caught up in one of the other summer scandals, but this week he was cleared of all wrongdoing in the betting investigation.
“I paid for the fact I am a Juventus player, clearly,” he commented. “I was torn to shreds in the newspapers on a personal level, but although I’m not proud of it, my betting was a private matter and not in any way illegal. Some spend a fortune on special edition cars, I made the odd bet online. Anyone who knows me realises I could never throw a game.”
Out of this chaotic year, Buffon was almost crowned European Player of the Year, missing out at the end to teammate Fabio Cannavaro.
“It was Fabio who told me the results before that last friendly against Turkey in November,” he revealed.
“From that whole affair I realised I could be happy anywhere. Of course everyone would love such a prestigious recognition and when Fabio told me of his success, I was disappointed, but it all passed in 10 minutes. I am surprised at myself, to be honest. I discovered I’ve got a healthy streak of altruism, as I was happy for Fabio.”
Unlike Cannavaro, the goalkeeper chose to stay in Serie B and help Juventus fight their way back to the top flight, a decision that also amazed many people.
“I didn’t feel at all forced into it. Thankfully, I am often able to decide my own future and know I’m responsible for those choices and my behaviour. I understand to some it seemed an illogical move in that moment of uncertainty, but I have no regrets and would do it again.”
The Italian international turns 29 at the end of January and is already looking to the future – but not too far ahead.
“I am very happy with my girlfriend Alena and am looking forward to building a family with her. As for my career, I haven’t got a specific cut-off point. While I’m in the Nazionale and can play at the highest level, I will continue. When those elements falter…”
“I know I am a lucky man and that’s where my drive and hatred of complaining comes from. My wish for 2007 is that there can always be good health and happiness. The rest comes as a consequence.”
Channel 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gianluigi Buffon sums up his 2006 between great joy and heartache, including the World Cup victory and how he discovered he was not the Ballon d’Or winner.
“It’s difficult to sum up a whole year in one word. Let’s just say it alternated between peaks of incredible joy and achievement, then unfortunately some moments of extreme sadness,” he told 'Tuttosport’.
His year started with poor form sparked by a long shoulder injury lay-off, but he recovered to take the Scudetto with Juventus – later revoked in the Calciopoli scandal – and the World Cup.
“The tournament in Germany went beyond our wildest expectations. Even among teams who are the favourites there is only a dream, imagine what we felt like going into that competition in a sea of problems!”
Yet the Calciopoli trial proved to be a turning point for the Azzurri. “It united us as a group of players, as sticking together was the only way to stay afloat. That survival instinct helped us to overcome the obstacles. As for the two titles stripped from Juventus, I think they were from the club rather than the players. At the end of the day, it’s just numbers, we know what we achieved.”
Buffon was also caught up in one of the other summer scandals, but this week he was cleared of all wrongdoing in the betting investigation.
“I paid for the fact I am a Juventus player, clearly,” he commented. “I was torn to shreds in the newspapers on a personal level, but although I’m not proud of it, my betting was a private matter and not in any way illegal. Some spend a fortune on special edition cars, I made the odd bet online. Anyone who knows me realises I could never throw a game.”
Out of this chaotic year, Buffon was almost crowned European Player of the Year, missing out at the end to teammate Fabio Cannavaro.
“It was Fabio who told me the results before that last friendly against Turkey in November,” he revealed.
“From that whole affair I realised I could be happy anywhere. Of course everyone would love such a prestigious recognition and when Fabio told me of his success, I was disappointed, but it all passed in 10 minutes. I am surprised at myself, to be honest. I discovered I’ve got a healthy streak of altruism, as I was happy for Fabio.”
Unlike Cannavaro, the goalkeeper chose to stay in Serie B and help Juventus fight their way back to the top flight, a decision that also amazed many people.
“I didn’t feel at all forced into it. Thankfully, I am often able to decide my own future and know I’m responsible for those choices and my behaviour. I understand to some it seemed an illogical move in that moment of uncertainty, but I have no regrets and would do it again.”
The Italian international turns 29 at the end of January and is already looking to the future – but not too far ahead.
“I am very happy with my girlfriend Alena and am looking forward to building a family with her. As for my career, I haven’t got a specific cut-off point. While I’m in the Nazionale and can play at the highest level, I will continue. When those elements falter…”
“I know I am a lucky man and that’s where my drive and hatred of complaining comes from. My wish for 2007 is that there can always be good health and happiness. The rest comes as a consequence.”
Channel 4
for some reason rather Milan than Inter
I pray this doesnt happen!
i find myself worring about Gigi leaving over all of the other bs i keep hearing.
the only reason we havent lost a game so far in serie B is because he keeps saving our asses! i dont know what we'd do without him.
I pray this doesnt happen!
i find myself worring about Gigi leaving over all of the other bs i keep hearing.
the only reason we havent lost a game so far in serie B is because he keeps saving our asses! i dont know what we'd do without him.
