President Trump publicly questioned the integrity of Brazilian referee Raphael Claus after FIFA lifted the ban on US striker Balogun, citing past match-fixing allegations that were dismissed.
The Brazilian Football Confederation and FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina issued strong statements backing Claus as an exemplary and highly respected official.
Sports law expert Enrico Lubrano criticized FIFA's lack of transparency in suspending the automatic ban, arguing the decision lacked clear motivation.
FIFA's Appeal Committee declared the Belgian federation's challenge inadmissible, but Lubrano noted a possible recourse to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
On 2 July, US striker Folarin Balogun was sent off in the 19th minute of the second half against Bosnia and Herzegovina after a VAR review for a serious foul on Tarik Muharemovic. The direct red card meant an automatic one-match ban, ruling him out of the round of 16 against Belgium.
FIFA's Disciplinary Committee unexpectedly suspended the ban, allowing Balogun to play. The decision was confirmed by the Appeal Committee, which rejected the Belgian federation's challenge. The move sparked accusations of political interference.
President Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, called the red card "unjust" and the referee "a bit suspicious", referencing past match-fixing allegations against Claus that were dismissed. Trump admitted to contacting FIFA president Infantino.
“The referee is a bit suspicious... I don't want to fuel controversy but he is suspicious.”
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) issued a statement rejecting any insinuation against Claus's integrity, calling him an "exemplary professional". FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina also defended Claus, stating he is an "experienced and highly respected" official.
“Raphael Claus is refereeing his second World Cup... we have full confidence in him as a reliable match official.”
Sports law expert Enrico Lubrano criticized FIFA's "absolute lack of transparency", arguing that the automatic suspension should not have been lifted without clear motivation. He noted that the Belgian federation could appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for damages.
“There is an absolute absence of transparency on the part of FIFA.”
Former Brazil star Paulo Roberto Falcao, commenting on Brazil's World Cup exit, said coach Carlo Ancelotti's cycle is just beginning and that the Balogun case is "unacceptable but today everything is possible".
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US President Donald Trump called Brazilian referee Raphael Claus 'suspicious' after FIFA suspended the red-card ban on American striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in the World Cup knockout stage. The Brazilian football federation and FIFA's refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina have defended Claus's integrity.
AI text based on reports by Adnkronos, Il Messaggero, ANSA.it and other publishers. Published .