“The rules must be respected.” FIFA responds to Trump and defends the referee Klaus | sports

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) expressed its full support for Brazilian referee Rafael Klaus, after US President Donald Trump questioned his integrity following the red card he issued to US national team striker Folarin Balogun, which sparked controversy at the FIFA World Cup.

Klaus had sent off Balogun after a video assistant referee review during the match in which America won over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, for kicking the ankle of Bosnian defender Tarik Muhramovic with his shoe.

However, FIFA later suspended the red card penalty imposed on Balogun.

Trump said he requested a review of the decision, describing Klaus as “raising some doubts if his past record is taken into account” without providing further details.

FIFA supports referee Klaus

FIFA confirmed in a statement that “Rafael Klaus is one of the most prominent professional referees in the world, and a prominent member of Team One (the elite group of FIFA referees) in the World Cup.”

“Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity,” he added.

FIFA indicated that Klaus was not available for comment, in line with FIFA policy which stipulates that referees do not speak to the media during the tournament.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “Referees must receive the necessary respect. Once again, I stress that we must respect referees and respect the rules that govern our sport.”

He added: “It is very simple and it can never be overemphasized. Without referees, there is no football.”

Klaus officiated more than 600 matches during his career, and Pierluigi Collina, head of the FIFA Referees Committee, confirmed the International Federation’s confidence in the 46-year-old referee.

“Rafael Klaus is participating in the World Cup for the second time after he was with us in Qatar in 2022,” Collina said.

He added: “He is a referee with great experience and is widely appreciated, and we confirm our full confidence in him as a reliable referee to manage matches.”

Balogun was eventually allowed to participate in the round of 16 match held on Tuesday against Belgium, and coach Mauricio Pochettino chose him in the starting lineup.