World Cup referee Raphael Claus is facing calls for his dismissal after sending off United States striker Folarin Balogun during their round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The match took a dramatic twist when the Brazilian whistler showed the ex-Arsenal forward a red card for a challenge on opposition defender Tarik Muharemovic. Balogun appeared to make a genuine attempt to reach the lobbed ball before accidentally landing on his opponent's ankle, though he was well clear of the ball at the time. Claus was urged to review the incident by his VAR official. Having studied the challenge on the pitch-side monitor, he produced a red card.
Match outcome and suspension
The US held on for a 2-0 win thanks to Balogun's first-half strike and a late Malik Tillman free-kick. However, Balogun will now be suspended for his side's round of 16 showdown against Belgium. Fans and celebrities alike took to social media to vent their fury over the red card decision, with some subsequently demanding that Claus, who usually officiates in the Brazilian top flight, should be sacked.
Social media backlash
"I'm so proud of the USMNT for playing an amazing game and winning anyway despite a c*******d referee, but the referee almost derailed our entire World Cup with one of the worst decisions I have ever seen," wrote DC Examiner reporter Brad Polumbo. "The c***k- hallucination-induced red card must be appealed so Balogun doesn't have to miss the next match."
Another social media user wrote: "Absolutely a f*****g joke, this referee should lose his f*****g job. Didn't even call a yellow at first, absolutely atrocious refereeing." A further supporter commented: "Deport this ref immediately. That is NEVER a red card in the World Cup." One claimed it was the "worst referee job I've ever seen".
Brazilian accounts weigh in
Meanwhile, several prominent Brazilian accounts drew attention to Claus's unpopularity in his home country. "How nice it is to see a game being officiated by Raphael Claus...In another country," wrote Ole de Brazil to the account's 1.2 million followers. "Can we already say that Raphael Claus is the MVP of the match? After that foul the Brazilian had to pull out the red from his pocket! And on top of that he spent it on the English guy," tweeted CazeTV (425,000 followers).
Inconsistency and historical context
Lionel Messi committed a virtually identical foul against Algeria during the group stage, yet avoided a red card. Balogun became the first player to both score and be sent off in a World Cup knockout fixture since Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 final against Italy. With Balogun now suspended, the United States will in all likelihood turn to Ricardo Pepi, the PSV forward who featured from the start against Australia and Turkey, when they take on Belgium.
