FIFA defends Balogun red card referee after Trump calls him ‘a bit suspect’
Summary
FIFA defended referee Raphael Claus after President Donald Trump questioned his judgment following a red card given to U.S. player Folarin Balogun during a World Cup match. FIFA praised Claus’s professionalism and experience, while Balogun’s red card ban was later lifted, allowing him to play in the next game.Key Facts
- Referee Raphael Claus gave U.S. striker Folarin Balogun a red card during a World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after a VAR review.
- The red card was for Balogun fouling Tarik Muharemovic by planting his boot into his ankle.
- President Donald Trump expressed doubts about Claus’s integrity and asked for the decision to be reviewed.
- FIFA supported Claus, calling him a top referee with high professionalism and integrity.
- FIFA later suspended Balogun’s red card ban, allowing him to play against Belgium.
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated referees deserve respect and are essential to the game.
- Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s chief refereeing officer, confirmed full confidence in Claus, who has refereed over 600 matches and is officiating his second FIFA World Cup.
- Claus did not comment on the situation, following FIFA’s policy that referees avoid media during the tournament.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
