Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has branded the World Cup ball as "shameful".

Buffon has warned Italian fans that the ball could play a big part in next month's tournament.

"So far preparations are going well, apart from one negative aspect that I feel the need to underline, just as my colleagues have done before me," explained Buffon.

"I am referring to the football that is used in all the games for this tournament.

"The new model is absolutely inadequate and I think it is shameful that such an important competition as a World Cup with so many champions should be played with a ball like that."