International Football · Monday, October 5, 2026
Raphael Claus Defends His World Cup Refereeing Decision
The Brazilian referee addresses the Balogun controversy and rejects the political criticism that followed the red card.
By Editorial team
Raphael Claus defended his decision to send off Balogun during the United States–Bosnia and Herzegovina match at the 2026 World Cup. The Brazilian referee emphasized the importance of mental preparation in the face of the global exposure of such a competition. When asked about statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, Claus stated that these issues 'fall outside our sphere' of refereeing. He received support from FIFA, Conmebol and the CBF for his work on the field.