Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFifa has issued a statement defending referee Raphael Claus after US President Donald Trump branded him “suspect” for giving USA player Folarin Balogun a red card during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.Trump contacted Fifa president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the decision, leading Fifa to suspend the red card for a probationary period of one year.That means Balogun was cleared to play in the USA’s last-16 clash against Belgium, which the Americans lost 1-4.The intervention by Trump and Fifa's subsequent decision drew widespread condemnation from Uefa, Belgium's FA, and other footballing bodies, raising concerns about sporting integrity. Fifa’s statement called Claus a “leading professional referee” and expressed full confidence in his professionalism and integrity. In fullFifa backs referee called ‘suspect’ by Trump after Folarin Balogun ban wipedMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in