FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina praises World Cup referee labelled ‘suspect’ by Trump

July 7, 2026
Other

The match official labelled “suspect” by United States President Donald Trump has been praised by FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina.

Trump criticised Brazilian referee Raphael Claus on Monday after he sent off US striker Folarin Balogun following a VAR review in the round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Balogun’s red card was controversially suspended on Sunday, allowing him to play in the Americans’ round-of-16 tie against Belgium — which they lost 4-1 on Monday in Seattle.

FIFA issued a statement praising Claus as “one of the world’s leading professional referees and a valued member of Team One [the referees team] at the FIFA World Cup.”

Belgium say beating USMNT ‘justice’ for Balogun playingJuly 8, 2026
SEATTLE — Shortly after Romelu Lukaku scored the goal that capped a commanding 4-1 win over the United States, Belgium‘s all-time leading goal scorer held his right hand to his ear. On American soil, and in the aftermath of star U.S. forward Folarin Balogun being permitted to play after a one-game red-card suspension was controversially… Read more: Belgium say beating USMNT ‘justice’ for Balogun playing
Gary Lineker: USA should have left Folarin Balogun out of Belgium gameJuly 7, 2026
Gary Lineker believes the United States should have left Folarin Balogun out of their team to face Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 even after the controversial decision to suspend his one-match ban. Balogun was initially banned for Monday’s match because of his red card in the round-of-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina… Read more: Gary Lineker: USA should have left Folarin Balogun out of Belgium game
Paraguayan senator demands apology from Kylian Mbappé, threatens legal actionJuly 7, 2026
The Paraguayan senator embroiled in a racism row with Kylian Mbappé has demanded an apology from the France forward and threatened legal action against him for “gender-based violence.” In a remarkable open letter posted on social media, Celeste Amarilla retracted the racial slurs she made about Mbappé’s origins and education but doubled down on her… Read more: Paraguayan senator demands apology from Kylian Mbappé, threatens legal action
FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina praises World Cup referee labelled ‘suspect’ by TrumpJuly 7, 2026
The match official labelled “suspect” by United States President Donald Trump has been praised by FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina. Trump criticised Brazilian referee Raphael Claus on Monday after he sent off US striker Folarin Balogun following a VAR review in the round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun’s red card was controversially suspended on… Read more: FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina praises World Cup referee labelled ‘suspect’ by Trump
Downing Street clarifies Sir Keir Starmer’s role in Mexico vs. England kick-off time talksJuly 7, 2026
Downing Street has sought to clarify Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s role in discussions over the kick-off time of England’s World Cup match against Mexico, amid a row over potential political interference in FIFA by American president Donald Trump. Starmer is understood to have intervened to prevent FIFA bringing forward the kick-off time from 6… Read more: Downing Street clarifies Sir Keir Starmer’s role in Mexico vs. England kick-off time talks
Folarin Balogun: ‘I was not involved’ in red card ban U-turnJuly 7, 2026
Folarin Balogun accepts the decision to clear him to play for the United States against Belgium on Monday was “controversial” but insisted he played no part in the process. The circumstances surrounding the decision to suspend an automatic one-match ban for the red card Balogun was shown in the previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina… Read more: Folarin Balogun: ‘I was not involved’ in red card ban U-turn
Bruno Fernandes: ‘Portugal had quality to win Word Cup,’ midfielder rues ‘missed opportunity’July 7, 2026
Portugal will look back at this World Cup as a “missed opportunity,” Bruno Fernandes has said. Among the pre-tournament favourites, Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain on Monday in the round-of-16 and exited the competition. “There’s no point in talking about it now because we’re out of the World Cup, but it was a missed opportunity,”… Read more: Bruno Fernandes: ‘Portugal had quality to win Word Cup,’ midfielder rues ‘missed opportunity’
Mauricio Pochettino disappointed that politics overshadowed USA’s World CupJuly 7, 2026
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed his disappointment at the “politics and manipulation” which overshadowed the United States’ World Cup exit following President Donald Trump’s intervention. The co-hosts were dumped out of the competition in the round-of-16 after they were thumped 4-1 by Belgium in Seattle during the early hours of Tuesday morning. They did so with… Read more: Mauricio Pochettino disappointed that politics overshadowed USA’s World Cup
Harry Kane: England must ‘calm down’ after emotionally draining Mexico victoryJuly 7, 2026
Harry Kane said England will have to “calm down” after their emotionally draining win over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. Thomas Tuchel’s side produced one of the best World Cup results in recent memory as they overcame all manner of obstacles to defeat the co-hosts 3-2. They did it battling altitude, a vociferous home crowd… Read more: Harry Kane: England must ‘calm down’ after emotionally draining Mexico victory
USMNT dismisses Balogun noise in World Cup exit: ‘No Excuses’July 7, 2026
SEATTLE – For two days, there was no bigger story in sports than Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension. But, after the U.S. men’s national team was soundly beaten by Belgium, 4-1, and eliminated from the World Cup, American players and coach Mauricio Pochettino were quick to say the controversy had not been a distraction. “We… Read more: USMNT dismisses Balogun noise in World Cup exit: ‘No Excuses’