FIFA threw its full support behind Brazilian referee Raphael Claus after U.S. President Donald Trump questioned his integrity on Monday ​following the red card shown to United States striker Folarin Balogun ‌that sparked a controversy at the World Cup.

Balogun was sent off by Claus after a VAR check in the last-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina for planting his boot ​into the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic.

However, FIFA later suspended Balogun’s red-card ban. ​Trump said he had asked for the decision to be reviewed, ⁠describing Claus as “a little bit suspect if you check his past” ​without elaborating.

“FIFA recognises Raphael Claus as one of the world’s leading professional referees ​and a valued member of Team One (FIFA’s elite group of referees) at the FIFA World Cup,” FIFA said in a statement.

“Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest ​standards of professionalism and integrity.”

FIFA said Claus was not available for comment, ​in line with its policy of referees not speaking to the media during the ‌tournament. ⁠FIFA President Gianni Infantino said referees must be respected.

“Once more, I reiterate that we must respect the referees and respect the rules that govern our game,” he said.

“It is very simple and cannot ever be overstated – without referees, ​there is no ​football.”

Claus has officiated ⁠in over 600 matches in his career and Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the Referees ​Committee, emphasised the organisation’s faith in the 46-year-old.

“Raphael Claus ​is refereeing ⁠at his second FIFA World Cup having been with us in Qatar in 2022,” Collina said.

“He is an experienced and highly respected referee and we maintain ⁠full ​confidence in him as a trusted match ​official.”

Balogun was eventually allowed to start Monday’s last-16 clash with Belgium and was named in the starting ​lineup by coach Mauricio Pochettino.