Referee at center of World Cup red-card scandal was investigated for match-fixing in Brazil

Referee Raphael Claus has become the center of attention since issuing American player Folarin Balogun a pivotal red card last week.

However, this isn’t the first time the Brazilian referee has been the focus of controversy with a governing body.

‘Yes, I asked for a review by FIFA.’

The FIFA World Cup’s red card heard around the world, which landed Balogun a one-game suspension, came in the 64th minute of the U.S.’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.

Even though FIFA lifted Balogun’s match ban on Sunday — after a call from President Trump — eyes have been fixated on Claus after details of a match-fixing scandal in his home country have re-emerged.

Claus, along with two other Brazilian referees, were called to testify before a 2024 Senate Parliamentary