FIFA defends Japanese referee in World Cup storm

The World Cup faced fresh refereeing controversy on Friday as FIFA chiefs defended Japanese official Yuichi Nishimura after he awarded Brazil a bitterly contested penalty in their opening game victory over Croatia.

Croatia's coach and players erupted in fury at Nishimura's decision to award a penalty against defender Dejan Lovren for a foul on Brazilian centre forward Fred on Thursday night.

Television replays indicated that Lovren barely touched Fred. Croatian media called it an "inexcusable mistake".

A top Brazilian newspaper used a front page headline "arigato" -- thank you in Japanese. Social media in Japan lambasted Nishimura's action, while World Cup players said that more and more of their counterparts would try to get away with such penalties.
 

FIFA defended Nishimura, but it said no decision had been taken as to whether he will appear in another match at the tournament.

FIFA referees chief Massimo Busacca insisted Nishimura had been justified in awarding the spot-kick.

"He had a very good position," said Busacca, referring to a photo of the incident which appeared to show Lovren's hands making contact with Fred.

"When he saw the hands doing something he makes it (the decision)."

Nishimura, 42, has twice been voted referee of the year in Japan's J-League and was at the 2010 World Cup finals. But he has a reputation for controversial decisions.

But no sooner had referees chief Busacca sprung to Nishimura's defence then the standard of officiating was again under scrutiny as Mexico took on Cameroon.

Mexico's Oribe Peralta scored the only goal of a rain-lashed Group A game in Natal, securing a precious three points for Miguel Herrera's side.

But the main talking points after the game was the standard of officiating, with Colombia referee Wilmar Roldan chalking off what looked like two valid Mexico goals in the first half.