UEFA has released a statement to condemn the abuse which has been directed at English referee Michael Oliver and his wife.

Last week, Oliver awarded a last-minute penalty to Real Madrid in their Champions League fixture with Juventus, with the decision being strongly criticised by goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

In the days that followed, Oliver and his wife were abused on social media - while Buffon has refused to apologise for his comments - and UEFA has moved to offer support to the Premier League official.

A statement read: "UEFA strongly condemns the abuse directed at Michael Oliver and his wife.

"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."

Italian referees' chief Marcello Nicchi has said that Buffon was wrong to express his frustration in public.