FIFA stands ... well ... near ref

Head official says we all make mistakes, but doesn’t admit to error.

FIFA’s head of refereeing declined to criticize a controversial penalty decision in Brazil’s opening World Cup win over Croatia — but said everyone makes mistakes.

Brazil striker Fred fell to the ground after minimal contact with Croatia’s Dejan Lovren in Thursday’s Group A game and Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura pointed to the spot. Neymar converted in the 71st minute to make it 2-1 and Brazil went on to win 3-1.

“We are human,” Massimo Busacca, head of FIFA’s refereeing department, said Friday. “There is not one human in life that is not committing a mistake. It’s part of life. The referee lives with this responsibility.”

Busacca said Nishimura “had a very good position” to make the call. Busacca did not say if he thought the decision was correct. And he did not say if Nishimura would referee more games.

German banned for snubbing Qatar probe: Germany great Franz Beckenbauer was banned from football for 90 days by FIFA for not cooperating with an investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.

FIFA said the suspension was requested by ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia, making Beckenbauer the first person to be punished as a result of the case.

Beckenbauer refused “re- peated requests for his assistance, including requests that he provide information during an in-person interview or in response to written questions provided in both English and German,” FIFA said in a statement.

Beckenbauer responded by saying he was surprised by news of the ban and that he had only received the questions in complicated legal English.

FIFA warns of fake tickets: FIFA said it rejected about 50 fake tickets for the opening World Cup match in Sao Paulo between host Brazil and Croatia. It warns that it expects more.

The field is green: The grass at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus will be green for England’s game against Italy, either naturally or artificially.

Workers have been using green dye on the dead areas of the playing surface to make sure it looks good for today’s game.

Croat hurt: Playmaker Luka Modric is in doubt for Croatia’s next match against Cameroon after injuring his foot in the loss to Brazil.

LEO CORREA / AP All wrapped up in a Spanish national flag, a fan reacts in frustration as she watches the broadcast on a beach in Rio of the match in which the Dutch won 5-1.