FIFA praises referee Raphael Claus after Trump's comments on red card

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...

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.

The match official labelled “suspect” by United States President Donald Trump has been praised by FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina. Trump criticised Brazilian referee Raphael Claus on Monday after he sent off US striker Folarin Balogun following a VAR review in the last-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week.

FIFA and the FIFA Referees Committee have praised Raphael Claus following comments made by US President Donald Trump. Claus was the referee who showed USMNT striker Folarin Balogun a red card during their win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and the story does not end there.