Pirlo won't face punishment despite new Juventus rule

Turin: Juventus coach Antonio Conte has warned his players that they must remain on the bench after being substituted or face a month's suspension.

On Tuesday, Conte says "unless a player goes off on a stretcher or because of an injury ... he must remain on the bench until the end of the match. If not he'll be fined and be out of the squad for a month."

Conte says the new rule applies to everyone without exception but that Andrea Pirlo will not face punishment as this has just come into effect and so the playmaker "has not broken any rules."

Pirlo was substituted in the 66th minute of Sunday's 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona and walked straight off down the tunnel, bypassing the bench.