FIFA backs referee Trump called 'suspect' after Balogun red card controversy

FIFA has issued a formal statement backing referee Raphael Claus after Donald Trump publicly questioned the Brazilian official’s integrity following the controversial decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red card at the 2026 World Cup.

Balogun was shown a straight red card by Claus during the United States’ last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic in which he appeared to scrape his studs down the defender’s calf before landing on and twisting his ankle. FIFA subsequently made the highly controversial decision to suspend the ban for a probationary period of one year under Article 27 of its disciplinary code, allowing Balogun to feature in the co-hosts’ last-16 tie against Belgium.

The move followed a direct conversation between Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, raising serious questions about sporting integrity. UEFA, Belgium’s Football Association, and numerous other governing bodies condemned the intervention. Trump then openly admitted he had contacted Infantino requesting a review, and took aim at Claus in remarks delivered at the White House on Monday.

“I saw the play, and I’m a person that loves sports… That wasn’t a foul,” Trump said. “This referee, who is a little bit suspect if you check his past. He made a call that nobody could believe. He’s our best player, or one of our best players. And he gave him a red card. I didn’t know what that meant… Yes, I asked for a review by FIFA.”

FIFA responded by standing firmly behind Claus, who has officiated more than 600 matches during his career and is appearing at his second World Cup, having also refereed at Qatar 2022.

“FIFA recognises Raphael Claus as one of the world’s leading professional referees and a valued member of Team One at the FIFA World Cup,” the governing body’s statement read. “Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. It is very simple and cannot ever be overstated — without referees, there is no football.”

FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina reinforced that position. “He is an experienced and highly respected referee and we maintain full confidence in him as a trusted match official,” Collina said.

The episode has cast a long shadow over the tournament’s credibility, with the unprecedented nature of a sitting head of state lobbying the sport’s governing body — and apparently succeeding — drawing widespread criticism from within football.