UEFA condemns abuse on controversial Champions League ref Oliver and wife

By Daily Sports on April 17, 2018

UEFA says it “strongly condemns” the abuse received by Premier League referee Michael Oliver and wife Lucy.

Michael Oliver awarded a last-minute penalty as Real Madrid knocked Juventus out of the Champions League last week and was criticised by keeper Gianluigi Buffon and some Italian media.

BBC Sport understands Lucy Oliver – a Women’s Super League referee who also officiates men’s non-league football – received threatening texts after her mobile number was posted on social media following the game.

“UEFA strongly condemns the abuse directed at Michael Oliver and his wife,” said European football’s governing body in a statement to BBC Sport.

“We have been in contact with them to offer our support and we trust the relevant authorities to take action against those individuals who have behaved inappropriately both on and off social media.”

In a dramatic end to the match at the Bernabeu in Madrid on Wednesday, Juventus captain Buffon was sent off for confronting Oliver over the 93rd-minute penalty decision.

Buffon later told media the English official had a “bag of rubbish for a heart” and defended his comments on Saturday, saying he “stands by all of it”.

Following the match, Lucy Oliver’s Twitter account was targeted by some supporters posting abusive messages.

“We are aware of threatening messages being posted on social media,” a Northumbria police spokesperson told BBC Sport.

“This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and those writing the messages need to be aware that they could be committing a criminal offence.

“Neighbourhood officers are in touch with the victims in this case to offer them support and ensure any further offences are reported to police.”

A spokesperson for Twitter confirmed that several offensive tweets reported by Lucy Oliver have been removed for violating its abuse policy.

Ref Support chief exec Martin Cassidy said his organisation has also been in touch with Lucy Oliver to offer its support.

“I know other people are supporting her, she’s always been a dynamic educator and a good referee,” he said.

“It seems more and more acceptable in terms of the abuse of officials. It seems fair game but it has to stop.”

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri also said he “understood” Buffon’s reaction and described him as a “role model on and off the pitch” for the “last 20 years”.

Oliver was the fourth official for Huddersfield’s late win over Watford in the Premier League on Saturday and is due to take charge of West Ham v Stoke City on Monday night.

In response to the online abuse of Lucy Oliver, some Italian football fans started a twitter hashtag

#ItaliaLovesMichaelOliver backing the official, which got 6,000 tweets in 24 hours on Thursday. (BBC)

•Photo shows under-fire referee Michael Oliver

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 17, 2018


 

You may also like...
Man United ‘Made For Trophies’ Insists Fernandes

Man Utd Discuss Online Abuse Of Players With...

Ghana, South Africa Lock Horns In Decisive Clash...

Aguero Involved In Car Accident On His Way...

Shocker at Stamford Bridge: Burnley stun champions Chelsea...

Paralympic Gold Medalist, Paul Kehinde, Dies Five Weeks...

 

Latest News Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse Chelsea eye Martinez to replace Osimhen Visa unveils Amusan, Nwachukwu as global ambassadors I’m not under pressure to coach Eagles – Finidi Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,392 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,400 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,545 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,219 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,004 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,882 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,768 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,225 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,272 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,183 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,635 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,210 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media