The Brazilian Football Confederation has entered the debate surrounding international referee Rafael Claus, following the incident of expelling US striker Folarin Balogun in the 2026 World Cup.
The Brazilian Football Confederation issued an official statement defending the referee and rejecting the accusations made against him by US President Donald Trump.
The statement affirmed that Klaus is one of the most prominent referees on the international scene, and enjoys a career "full of technical excellence, ethical conduct and complete respect for football," stressing that there is no incident in his record that could raise doubts about his integrity or professionalism.
The statement noted that the 46-year-old referee enjoys widespread international recognition, having officiated matches in two World Cups, the 2024 Copa America final, and a number of the most prominent domestic finals in Brazil.
The Sao Paulo State Football Association also announced its full support for Klaus, stating that the accusations against him "are not based on any evidence" and represent an unjustified attempt to damage his professional reputation.
This data came in response to statements by Trump, who questioned the referee's decision to send off Folarin Balogun during the United States-Bosnia and Herzegovina match in the round of 32, and described Klaus as "suspicious," before later announcing that he had asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the decision.
FIFA's disciplinary committee decided to suspend the penalty imposed on Balogun, allowing him to participate against Belgium in the round of 16. This decision sparked widespread controversy, especially after Trump announced his intervention by requesting a review of the penalty.
In contrast, Gianni Infantino stressed that FIFA's judicial and disciplinary committees operate with complete independence, and that their decisions are made in accordance with the governing regulations, denying any external interference in their work.
The case sparked mixed reactions within football circles, as some federations considered that the controversy surrounding the decision to suspend the penalty had revived the debate about the independence of judicial and arbitration bodies in football, while the Brazilian Federation stressed that defending the reputation of its referees is an unquestionable priority.
