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Brazil’s football federation on Monday defended the integrity of a referee who US President Donald Trump said was “a little bit suspect,” amid a furore over FIFA’s reversal of a red card given to US striker Folarin Balogun.

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“There is nothing in his record that discredits him or gives grounds for any suspicion,” the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said in a statement sent to AFP. “He is an exemplary professional.”

Trump confirmed Monday he asked FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to review the “horrible” decision to hand a red card to star US striker Folarin Balogun, but said he did not request it be overturned.

“I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “All I did was ask for a review, I didn’t say you have to do this.”

“That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other,” Trump said.

The Republican president also took aim at Raphael Claus, the Brazilian referee who made the call, describing him as “a little bit suspect if you check his past.”

Read more:

Trump confirms he asked FIFA boss for review of Balogun red card

EU says sport decisions ‘belong to sporting bodies, not politicians’ as US card reversed