PARMA PLAY DOWN BUFFON FACISM ROW

The argument had started over Buffon's decision to take the 88 shirt for his club, a number steeped in Fascist symbolism.

88 is considered a neoNazi symbol because the letter H is the eighth in the alphabet and HH is a reference to 'Heil Hitler.'

The allegation comes on the back of further problems last season when the talented custodian wore a t-shirt with the inscription - 'Boia chi molla' or "Death to the cowardly ones," a slogan from the time of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

However, with the Roman Jewish community up in arms - Uva has told Buffon's critics to 'take care of more serious things.'

Another voice appealing for calm is Buffon's mother Maria Stella Masocco, who said: "It is shameful that these things have been said.

"We are honest people and Gigi has chosen the number for personal reasons."