FIFA praises referee Raphael Claus after Trump's comments on red card
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 7, 2026, 2:51 AM
Last updated Jul 7, 2026
FIFA and the FIFA Referees Committee expressed support for referee Raphael Claus after US President Donald Trump questioned his decision to issue a red card to USMNT striker Folarin Balogun during their match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite the controversy surrounding Balogun's suspension, which FIFA later suspended for 12 months, the governing body lauded Claus as a top professional in the sport. Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, stated their confidence in Claus. The USMNT, meanwhile, faced Belgium amidst this backdrop, having previously had Balogun in their squad before the decision was reviewed.
- •FIFA supports Raphael Claus after Trump's remarks about his officiating
- •Claus issued a red card to Folarin Balogun in a World Cup match
- •Balogun's suspension was controversially suspended by FIFA
- •USMNT faced Belgium after the ruling on Balogun
- •Pierluigi Collina reaffirmed confidence in Claus as a top referee
- 11:11 AMYahoo Sports — FIFA praises World Cup referee who Trump claimed was 'suspect' after red card for Balogun
- 9:03 AMYahoo Sports — FIFA's Collina praises World Cup referee labelled 'suspect' by Trump
- 2:51 AMYahoo Sports — FIFA issue statement on World Cup referee Raphael Claus after Donald Trump comments
"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.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 7, 2026, 11:11 AMFIFA praises World Cup referee who Trump claimed was 'suspect' after red card for Balogun
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.
- Yahoo SportsJul 7, 2026, 9:03 AMFIFA's Collina praises World Cup referee labelled 'suspect' by Trump
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.
- Yahoo SportsJul 7, 2026, 2:51 AMFIFA issue statement on World Cup referee Raphael Claus after Donald Trump comments
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.
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