FIFA publicly defends match referee Raphael Claus after U.S. President Donald Trump questioned the Brazilian official’s integrity following the red card shown to American forward Folarin Balogun at the 2026 World Cup. Trump described Claus as “a little bit suspect” (and in some reporting as “very” suspect) and referenced “his past” without providing new evidence. FIFA, with statements attributed to tournament chief Gianni Infantino and technical adviser Pierluigi Collina, says Claus is “one of the world’s leading professional referees,” and it cites his record of professionalism and integrity. The controversy follows FIFA’s decision to overturn Balogun’s suspension after the initial sending-off. With Balogun later able to return, the United States still lost 4-1 to Belgium in a match that sent Belgium into the quarterfinals. The dispute also intersects with claims discussed by U.S. officials that Claus’s appointment process had been examined in Brazil, including reference to a 2024 inquiry that looked at referee assignments but did not accuse Claus of wrongdoing.
FIFA defends World Cup referee Raphael Claus after Trump questions his integrity
FIFA publicly defends match referee Raphael Claus after U.S. President Donald Trump questioned the Brazilian official’s integrity following the red card shown to American forward Folarin Balogun at th...
- FIFA defends referee Raphael Claus after Donald Trump questions his integrity following Balogun’s red card.
- FIFA describes Claus as one of the world’s leading professional referees and says he shows high standards of professionalism and integrity.
- FIFA overturns Balogun’s suspension after the red card, allowing him to return to play.
- Trump’s comments are presented as unelaborated criticisms referencing Claus’s past.
- The U.S. loses 4-1 to Belgium after Balogun’s return, and Belgium advances to the quarterfinals.
Donald Trump’s public criticism, which cast doubt on Raphael Claus’s integrity after the sending-off of American Folarin Balogun, has put FIFA in a real diplomatic and sporting crossroads and coul...
1 month agoAndrew Giuliani claims actions of referee Raphael Claus over US player Folarin Balogun ‘very, very highly suspicious’Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House’s World Cup taskforce, has defended Donald Trump’s lobbying of Fifa to lift the suspension of US player Folarin Balogun for Monday’s game against Belgium.The US president claimed that Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, who showed Balogun a red card in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, was “a little bit suspect, if you check his past”. This was apparently a reference to a match-fixing investigation by Brazil’s senate in 2024 that examined how referees were assigned to games but did not accuse Claus of wrongdoing. Continue reading...
1 month agoAndrew Giuliani claims actions of referee Raphael Claus over US player Folarin Balogun ‘very, very highly suspicious’
1 month agoMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — FIFA has defended the reputation of World Cup referee Raphael Claus in rare pushback on comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who questioned his integrity for sending off Folarin Balogun. Trump suggested on Monday at the White House, without elaborating, that the 46-year-old Brazilian was “a little bit suspect if you check his past.” Claus red-carded Balogun against Bosnia-Herzegovina last week, setting off a furor that saw Trump intervene with FIFA to ensure the United States forward could play against Belgium late Monday . FIFA praised Claus, who is working at his second World Cup, in a statement published before the U.S. 4-1 loss that sent Belgium to the quarterfinals. “Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity,” FIFA said, calling Claus “one of the world’s leading professional referees and a valued member” of its team of World Cup match officials. FIFA made no similar statement in public support of Somali referee Omar Artan , who U.S. authorities denied entry to the country la
1 month agoFIFA praised Claus, who is working at his second World Cup, in a statement published before the U.S. 4-1 loss that sent Belgium to the quarterfinals.
1 month agoFIFA has defended the reputation of World Cup referee Raphael Claus in rare pushback on comments by U.S. President Donald Trump.
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