Brazil’s CBF defends referee after Trump calls him ‘suspect’

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) pushed back on Monday against U.S. President Donald Trump after he questioned the integrity of Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, who issued a red card to American striker Folarin Balogun during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Controversy

Trump told reporters from the White House on Monday that Claus was "a little bit suspect if you check his past," calling the red card decision "horrible." The president confirmed he personally asked FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to review the decision but said he did not request it be overturned.thehill+1

Balogun received the red card for stepping on the ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Tarik Muharemovic during a 2-0 U.S. round-of-32 victory on Wednesday. The card triggered an automatic one-match suspension that would have sidelined Balogun for Monday's last-16 match against Belgium. FIFA subsequently suspended the enforcement of the ban, citing Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, after Trump's call to Infantino.aljazeera

Brazil Hits Back

The CBF issued a statement rejecting Trump's characterization of Claus. "There is nothing in his record that discredits him or gives grounds for any suspicion," the federation told AFP. "The CBF rejects any insinuation casting doubt on Raphael Claus's integrity. He is an exemplary professional."folha.uol+1

The claims about Claus's past stem from a 2023 domestic inquiry in Brazil prompted by Botafogo ownership regarding irregular cards in the Série A. However, the investigation uncovered no evidence of wrongdoing and Claus faced no formal sanctions.marca+1

Broader Tensions

The referee dispute adds another layer to an already fraught relationship between Washington and Brasilia. Trump's administration has threatened Brazil with new tariffs over alleged unfair trade practices, and the two governments have clashed over the coup trial of former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro. Trump also acknowledged during his Monday remarks that he had been initially unaware the red card carried an automatic one-game suspension, calling the rule "very unfair."vanguardngr+1

Belgium's football federation has protested FIFA's decision to reinstate Balogun, citing articles in the competition regulations that make a one-match ban automatic after a red card.aljazeera