FIFA: No charges over black make-up fans

FIFA says it cannot bring charges over German fans wearing black face make-up during the match against Ghana.

Several fans who were pictured with blackened faces were reported to FIFA by the anti-discrimination group FARE but no action will be taken

A FIFA spokeswoman said: “There is no legal or factual element justifying the opening of disciplinary proceedings.

“But we abhor any insulting or discriminatory behaviour and we strongly appeal to all fans, teams and officials to uphold that spirit.”

FIFA’s disciplinary panel on Monday cleared Mexico’s FA of improper conduct after the organisation received complaints that some of their fans shouted ’Puto’ at opposing keepers, saying under the current rules the federation was not responsible.

Meanwhile, FIFA’s director of television Niclas Ericson admitted producers had made a mistake when they overlaid a line on TV replays suggesting Brazil striker Fred was offside when he scored against Cameroon.

The line showed that he was in front of the last Cameroon defender but did not make clear he was behind the ball when it was crossed by David Luiz.

He told a news conference in Rio de Janeiro: “We are discussing why that line was drawn wrongly – mistakes can happen.”