that got in his face.

IMO, it makes the game unwatchable at times and it needs to stop.

The continued accosting of referees should be stopped.

I think their standards have fallen and I'm largely disappointed in their work. But Michael Oliver had a great game yesterday.

Making that call at that moment is incredibly difficult. He got the penalty 100% right. Yes, Buffon's reaction is emotional and a huge moment for him and his career. Doesn't justify his reaction. He made physical contact with Oliver twice - you can debate on whether or not one of those times is intentional (Costa may have actually pushed him into Oliver), but it is irrelevant.

And the match report (as far as I know) isn't public yet, and that will have more information as to why he was sent off.

And I have no dog in this fight.

Where you see a "cute little foot shuffle," I see a ref stopping to point at the penalty spot. Where you see a ref "looking to influence the moment," I see a ref getting accosted after making a correct call.

I get that the foul call came at a crucial time. I give the ref credit for calling it, as it had the strong potential to influence the outcome. But it was unquestionably the correct call. And the ref got mobbed for making it, which can't happen either. I have no problem with the red card in that situation.

There's no reason to show red there. It's like replaying a holding call on a touchdown in the super bowl. You could make the call...if you want to.