Doesn't count when he's off the field of play, surely?
That should be BS though, he's clearly still involved. Even though he's just behind the goal line, the goal should be able to stand (which it has, and hopefully for the right reason).
Hopefully you're right.
As you say, it'd be stupid because a player in a terrible position could just step off the pitch to get himself out of trouble.
He is right. Atleast according to a Finnish uefa referee they just interviewed in our telly. Only slightly dubious thing would be the fact that he didnt end up there because of himself but because Buffon kind of pushed him there.