Miami, 07 July (H.S.):The controversy surrounding the red card shown to United States striker Folarin Balogun during the FIFA World Cup 2026 has intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump questioned the impartiality of Brazilian referee Rafael Klaus. In response, FIFA issued a strong statement defending Klaus, describing him as one of the world's finest referees and expressing complete confidence in his integrity and professional standards.
The dispute originated ahead of the Round of 16 after Balogun was sent off during the United States' Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, referee Rafael Klaus dismissed Balogun for a challenge in which he was deemed to have caught Tarik Muharemović on the ankle with his studs.
However, FIFA later overturned Balogun's one-match suspension, making him eligible to feature in the United States' Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
Trump Questions Referee's Decision
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that he had requested a review of the incident and cast doubt on Rafael Klaus' record.
"If you look at his past record, he seems a little questionable," Trump said.
The President, however, did not provide any specific evidence or examples to support his allegations against the Brazilian official.
FIFA Stands Firm Behind Klaus
In an official statement, FIFA reaffirmed its confidence in the referee.
"Rafael Klaus is among the world's leading professional referees and is a respected member of FIFA's 'Team One'—the organisation's elite group of match officials for the FIFA World Cup. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity," FIFA said.
The governing body also clarified that, in accordance with its tournament policy prohibiting referees from speaking to the media, Klaus would not comment publicly on the controversy.
Infantino Calls for Respect Towards Referees
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stressed the importance of respecting match officials and the Laws of the Game.
"I want to reiterate that we must respect referees and respect the rules of the game. It is a very simple principle and one that should never be underestimated. Without referees, there would be no football," Infantino said.
Collina Reaffirms Confidence
FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina also voiced his support for Klaus.
"Rafael Klaus is officiating at his second FIFA World Cup. He was also part of our refereeing team at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. He is an experienced and highly respected referee, and we have complete confidence in him," Collina said.
More Than 600 Matches Officiated
The 46-year-old Rafael Klaus has officiated more than 600 professional matches during his refereeing career. Despite the controversy surrounding Balogun's dismissal, FIFA has made it clear that it stands firmly behind its match official.
Meanwhile, following the lifting of his suspension, Folarin Balogun was named in the starting lineup by United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino for the Round of 16 encounter against Belgium.
