FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday defended the integrity of World Cup referees, a stance that publicly diverged from President Donald Trump's criticisms and led to calls for Infantino's resignation.
Infantino's statement came after Trump had publicly criticized referee Raphael Claus, who issued a red card to U.S. player Folarin Balogun during a recent match. Trump had also confirmed a phone call with Infantino regarding Balogun's one-game suspension, which FIFA subsequently overturned.
In an Instagram post, Infantino stated, "The FIFA World Cup 2026 has been an overwhelming success and a major contributor to this is our fantastic group of match officials - Team One." He added, "The tournament is being officiated by the best in the world, selected through a rigorous process which considered their skills, consistency, and quality over a sustained period." Infantino emphasized the importance of respecting referees and the rules of the game, concluding, "without referees, there is no football."
Earlier, President Trump had labeled Claus "suspect" during a press conference, suggesting the game would have been "rigged" without Balogun's participation. Trump confirmed he spoke with Infantino about the red card, which he described as an "infraction" that "wasn't even a foul," but stated he did not tell Infantino what to do.
Balogun received a straight red card during the U.S. team's victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge. While initially met with sympathy, the subsequent overturning of his ban fueled controversy. The Belgian Football Association had appealed the decision, which FIFA's Appeal Committee rejected. Belgium indicated they would consider further actions, including potential legal recourse.
The decision to suspend Balogun's ban drew significant criticism from various football bodies. UEFA issued a statement expressing disbelief, calling the decision "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable" and stating that "an automatic one-match suspension is not a discretionary option." The organization warned that "when the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake, and the credibility of a competition is undermined."
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and other officials also commented, emphasizing that sporting decisions should remain free from political influence. Infantino acknowledged receiving calls from world leaders on various matters, including Trump's call, but stressed that FIFA's independent judicial bodies handle such cases and that he respects their autonomy and decisions.
Infantino's defense of the referees, which contrasted with Trump's direct criticism of Claus, has placed him at odds with the U.S. President. The FIFA chief had previously awarded Trump the FIFA Peace Prize, and Trump had appeared to influence FIFA's decision on Balogun's ban through his call to Infantino. The situation has led to widespread calls for Infantino to resign from his FIFA presidency.