CBF Defends Referee Raphael Claus After Trump Attack Over Folarin Balogun World Cup Red Card

When Donald Trump called a Brazilian World Cup referee "suspect" after a red-card decision, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) did not stay silent. It publicly defended the official, rejecting any suggestion of bias and calling him an exemplary professional. That exchange was just one explosive moment in a controversy that drew in the U.S. president, FIFA's leadership, and a deepening diplomatic crisis between the United States and Brazil.

The CBF's Defense of Raphael Claus

After Trump characterized Brazilian referee Raphael Claus as "a little suspicious" following his decision to red-card U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, the CBF issued a statement defending the official .

"The CBF refutes any insinuation that casts doubt on Raphael Claus's integrity. He is an exemplary professional, whose career is amply supported by technical assessments, consistent performance and the trust placed in him by the leading national and international competitions," the confederation said .

The statement continued: "There is nothing in his entire history that discredits him or that supports any type of suspicion" .

The CBF's defense came amid fresh scrutiny of Claus's past. In 2023, he had been investigated by Brazilian authorities after accusations from the owner of Botafogo, who submitted audio recordings alleging that Claus had issued "irregular red cards" in Brazil's Série A . Claus and his video assistant referee were summoned to testify, but no wrongdoing was found, and the CBF cleared him . He faced no formal sanction and remained on FIFA's elite refereeing track, having previously worked at the 2022 World Cup .

The Red Card Incident

The controversy began in the 64th minute of the USA's round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, 2026. Balogun, who had already scored the opening goal, was tussling for the ball with defender Tarik Muharemovic when his leg scraped down the back of Muharemovic's calf and onto his foot .

Referee Claus initially allowed play to continue, but after a VAR recommendation, he was directed to the pitchside monitor and upgraded his decision to a straight red card for "serious foul play" . Balogun was visibly shocked, and the dismissal meant an automatic one-match suspension that would have ruled him out of the Round of 16 against Belgium .

The call was almost universally criticized. U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino said, "For me, never is it a red card. Never was there intention to step on the player" . Captain Christian Pulisic called it "ridiculous for something like that" . Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg said the play "did not reach the criteria of a red card" .

Trump's Intervention and FIFA's Reversal

Trump directly intervened. He acknowledged making a phone call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, telling reporters, "All I did was request a review... I did not tell them to do it. I can't dictate his actions" .

On July 5, FIFA's disciplinary committee suspended Balogun's automatic ban, making him eligible to play against Belgium. Trump praised the decision on Truth Social: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" .

The reversal was described as highly unusual — the first time since 1962 that FIFA had allowed a player to appear in a game when he would have been suspended . FIFA sources said the decision was taken under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which allows for "provisional measures" in exceptional circumstances, and insisted the disciplinary panel acted independently .

Belgium, the team that would face Balogun, reacted with anger. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) released an official statement saying it was "astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play" . FIFA rejected Belgium's challenge .

Broader U.S.–Brazil Tensions

The Balogun controversy was not the only source of strain between the two countries. The red-card incident played out against the backdrop of a severe diplomatic crisis that had been escalating for over a year:

• 50% tariffs on Brazil: In July 2025, Trump implemented 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports, explicitly linking the punitive measures to the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro, whom Trump described as being "persecuted" and "unjustly charged" .

• Sanctions on a Brazilian justice: The United States imposed sanctions under the Magnitsky Act on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the Bolsonaro proceedings .

• The Bolsonaro coup trial: Brazil's legal proceedings resulted in Bolsonaro receiving a prison sentence exceeding 27 years for conspiracy to stage a coup. President Lula defended the ruling as "a historic ruling that protects our institutions and upholds the democratic rule of law" .

• Eduardo Bolsonaro's lobbying: Bolsonaro's son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, praised Trump's tariffs and warned that further actions might follow, telling the BBC he was engaged in a prolonged lobbying effort in Washington against the Brazilian officials prosecuting his father .

A Controversy Without Easy Answers

The 2026 World Cup saw sports and international politics collide in an unprecedented fashion. Multiple versions of events competed for public acceptance: Trump's account of a routine review request, FIFA's assurance of an independent decision, Brazil's defense of a veteran referee, and Belgium's sense of procedural injustice. What is clear is that the CBF's defense of Raphael Claus was not just about one red card — it was a statement of institutional credibility at a moment when the pressure on Brazilian football had never been higher.