FIFA defends Raphael Claus
FIFA has issued an unusual statement to back referee Raphael Claus after Donald Trump questioned his integrity. The US president suggested the 46-year-old Brazilian is “a bit suspicious” without offering evidence.
Claus sent off Folarin Balogun in the United States’ match against Bosnia-Herzegovina last week. Trump intervened with FIFA so that the forward could play against Belgium, a match that the United States lost 4-1.
FIFA called Claus “one of the world’s leading professional referees” and noted that “throughout his career he has demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.” The Brazilian is in his second World Cup.
Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s head of refereeing, said: “He is an experienced and highly respected referee, and we maintain full confidence in him.” Claus had previously refereed Spain’s 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia and the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia. Balogun was the first man sent off in four World Cup matches.
Trump’s comments could relate to a 2024 Brazilian Senate investigation into alleged match-fixing. Lawmakers reviewed the assignment of referees but did not accuse Claus of any wrongdoing.
The Brazilian Football Confederation also supported the whistler: “There is nothing in his record that calls into question his integrity.” Curiously, FIFA did not issue a similar endorsement for Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the country by the United States before the tournament.
