FIFA defends Claus
FIFA has issued a firm defence of Brazilian referee Raphael Claus after Donald Trump criticised the official who sent off Folarin Balogun during the United States’ World Cup win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun was shown a red card after a VAR review in the round of 32, with Claus deciding that the American striker had caught Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemović on the ankle.
The decision triggered an automatic one-match suspension, but FIFA later suspended the ban and allowed Balogun to play against Belgium in the round of 16.
According to AP, Trump said he had called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for the red card to be reviewed, while insisting he did not demand a specific outcome.
Read also: Jurgen Klopp condemns Trump and Infantino over Balogun red card reversal
Trump questions referee’s past
Trump did not only criticise the decision itself.
He also took aim at Claus, describing the Brazilian referee as “a little bit suspect if you check his past”. Trump did not explain what he meant by the remark.
According to Rediff, FIFA responded by strongly supporting Claus and underlining his standing within the game.
“FIFA recognises 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.
Read also: Garcia talked with Balogun after Belgium end USA’s World Cup
The governing body added: “Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.”
Collina offers full support
FIFA’s backing was also echoed by Pierluigi Collina, the organisation’s chief refereeing officer and chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee.
“Raphael Claus is refereeing at his second FIFA World Cup having been with us in Qatar in 2022,” Collina said.
“He is an experienced and highly respected referee and we maintain full confidence in him as a trusted match official.”
Read also: French Football Federation files lawsuit over racist remarks targeting Kylian Mbappe
The statement was a clear attempt to draw a line under questions about Claus’s integrity, especially after online speculation around his past had grown following the Balogun incident.
Infantino stresses respect
Infantino also used the moment to underline FIFA’s position on referees.
“Once more, I reiterate that we must respect the referees and respect the rules that govern our game,” he said.
He added: “It is very simple and cannot ever be overstated: without referees, there is no football.”
Read also: Jorge Jesus takes over after Roberto Martínez’s World Cup exit
Those words came after one of the strangest disciplinary controversies of the tournament. A red card decision, a presidential phone call and a late suspension reversal had already pushed FIFA into uncomfortable territory.
Trump’s comments about Claus then added another layer to the debate.
A controversy that followed USA out
Balogun was eventually allowed to start against Belgium, but his return did not change the result.
Belgium won 4-1 and knocked the United States out of the World Cup, ending the host nation’s campaign in the round of 16.
Read also: Belgium didn't hold back after eliminating USA in Balogun controversy match
The wider argument, however, has not disappeared.
FIFA insists its disciplinary process remained independent, while critics have questioned both the timing of the decision and the political attention surrounding it.
For Claus, the case has turned a refereeing call into a personal controversy. For FIFA, it has become another test of whether football’s institutions can protect their officials when pressure comes from far beyond the pitch.
