FIFA praises World Cup referee who Trump claimed was “suspect” after red card for Balogun

MIAMI GARDENS (FLORIDA: USA), (Jul 7)  FIFA has defended the reputation of World Cup referee Raphael Claus in rare pushback on comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who questioned his integrity for sending off Folarin Balogun.

Trump suggested on Monday at the White House, without elaborating, that the 46-year-old Brazilian was “a little bit suspect if you check his past.”

Claus red-carded Balogun against Bosnia-Herzegovina last week, setting off a furor that saw Trump intervene with FIFA to ensure the United States forward could play against Belgium late Monday.