Referee Nichimura's decisions in spotlight

Yuishi Nichimura ensured that refereeing standards at the World Cup will be a hotly debated topic from the opening match on Friday.

Yuishi Nichimura ensured that refereeing standards at the World Cup will be a hotly debated topic from the opening match on Friday.

Japanese-referee-Yuichi-Nishimura-reacts-during-a-Group-A-football-match-between-Brazil-and-Croatia-at-the-Corinthians-Arena-in-Sao-Paulo-during-the-2014-Fifa-World-Cup-on-June-12-AFP-Photo

The Japanese official awarded Brazil a questionable penalty that Neymar converted in the 71st minute, giving the host nation 2-1 up in what turned into a 3-1 victory over Croatia.

For some referees, Neymar might not have been on the field to take the spot-kick, nor even level the match in the 29th minute.

Nichimura showed the Brazil star just a yellow card in the 26th minute for pushing a forearm into the throat of Croatia playmaker Luka Modric.

Four years ago, the 42-year-old professional referee sent off Brazil defender Felipe Melo in its quarter-final exit against the Netherlands.