Brazil's Elano believes referees at the World Cup are being too soft when it comes to punishing harsh play.

Elano was stretchered off with a shin injury after a tackle from Ivory Coast defender Cheik Tiote during Sunday's 3-1 victory.

"I forgive because I am not a player that feels remorse," he said. "But I believe referees should be much tougher because in this case the foul was committed close to where the official (Stephane Lannoy) was."