Croatia defender Dejan Lovren claimed the referee was Brazil’s “12th player” in last night’s World Cup opener and described the decision to give a penalty against him as “a scandal”.
Japanese official Yuichi Nishimura has come under fire for the spot-kick decision when Fred went down under a challenge from Lovren with the score at 1-1.
Replays showed contact was minimal and Southampton defender Lovren said Nishimura showed his country a lack of respect. Neymar, who scored the penalty for his second goal of the night, could also have been sent off for an elbow on Luka Modric, while, at 2-1, a potential equaliser was ruled out for a foul by Ivica Olic on Julio Cesar.
Oscar made it 3-1 late on but Lovren was fuming and believes FIFA should consider banning the official.
“What can you do against 12 players? I think nothing,” said the centre-back. “The referee made not an error, I think, but a scandal. It is a scandal for FIFA. We are talking about respect here.
“I am angry. I want to cry now but what can you do? Did he favour Brazil? Maybe yes, maybe no. If it is like this, then we can give the World Cup directly to Brazil. It is like when a player gets a red card and he will be out for two or three games. I think it is the same [for referees].”
Brazil v Croatia - player ratings
Lovren believes his side did enough last night to suggest they will progress from a group that also includes Mexico and Cameroon.
“We have shown we can play against Brazil and we have the quality to pass the group,” he added.
