FIFA fully backed Brazilian referee Raphael Claus after US President Donald Trump on Monday questioned his integrity following the red card given to US striker Folarin Balogun that sparked controversy during the World Cup.
Balogun was sent off by Claus after a VAR check in the last 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina for planting his boot in Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle.
However, FIFA later suspended the ban on Balogun’s red card. Trump said he had asked for a review of the decision, describing Claus as “a little suspicious if you check his past” without elaborating.
“FIFA recognizes Raphael Claus as one of the world’s leading professional referees and a valued member of Team One (FIFA’s elite group of referees) at the FIFA World Cup,” FIFA said in a statement.
“Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.”
FIFA said Claus was unavailable for comment, in line with its policy that referees do not speak to the media during the tournament. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said referees must be respected.
“Once again I repeat that we must respect the referees and respect the rules that govern our game,” he said.
«It is very simple and can never be emphasized enough: without referees there is no football.»
READ ALSO | Trump says he has asked FIFA President Infantino to review Balogun’s red card incident
Claus has officiated more than 600 matches in his career and Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s chief referee and chairman of the referees’ committee, emphasized the organisation’s confidence in the 46-year-old.
“Raphael Claus is refereeing his second FIFA World Cup after being with us in Qatar in 2022,” Collina said.
“He is an experienced and highly respected referee and we have full confidence in him as a reliable match official.”
Balogun was eventually allowed to start the round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday and was named in the starting line-up by coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Published on July 7, 2026
