Who is Raphael Claus?
Raphael Claus is a Brazilian football referee born on September 6, 1979, in Santa Bárbara d’Oeste, São Paulo, Brazil. Before becoming a referee, he played football until the age of 20 before enrolling in the Paulista Football Federation’s referee training program in 2002. After years of officiating youth and regional competitions, he reached Brazil’s top division in 2010 and became a FIFA-listed referee in 2015.
Raphael Claus Profile
- Full Name: Raphael Claus
- Date of Birth: September 6, 1979
- Edad (Age): 46 (as of 2026)
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Profession: Football Referee
- FIFA Referee Since: 2015
- Association: Federação Paulista de Futebol (FPF)
Raphael Claus Referee Career
Claus quickly established himself as one of Brazil’s elite referees. His calm approach, strong fitness, and game management earned him appointments in several international tournaments.
Major competitions he has officiated include:
- FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
- Copa América
- Copa Libertadores
- FIFA U-20 World Cup
- Brazilian Série A
- Copa do Brasil
His performances in domestic competitions also earned multiple awards as one of the Brazilian league’s top referees.
Raphael Claus at the FIFA World Cup
Claus made his FIFA World Cup debut during the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where he officiated group-stage matches including England vs Iran and Canada vs Morocco.
His inclusion in FIFA’s elite referee panel confirmed his standing among the world’s top match officials. Since then, FIFA has continued assigning him to major international fixtures.
Raphael Claus and Colombia
One of the most discussed chapters of Raphael Claus’ career involves the Colombia national team.
He has refereed several important matches involving Colombia in FIFA World Cup qualifiers and Copa América competitions. While many of these matches passed without major incidents, his appointment for the 2024 Copa América Final between Argentina and Colombia generated enormous debate before kickoff.
Following Argentina’s victory, many Colombian supporters questioned several refereeing decisions, believing Colombia should have been awarded penalties during the match. Although CONMEBOL did not sanction Claus, debate around his performance continued across South American football media.
Raphael Claus Controversy
The biggest controversy of Raphael Claus’ career came during the 2024 Copa América Final.
Several incidents involving possible penalty appeals for Colombia became talking points after the match. Colombian players, media outlets, and supporters argued that key decisions favored Argentina.
Despite widespread criticism, CONMEBOL publicly stood by its officiating team, and Claus continued receiving appointments for major international fixtures afterward.
Like many elite referees, Claus has occasionally faced criticism over disciplinary decisions and VAR interpretations, but he remains among CONMEBOL’s most trusted officials.
Raphael Claus Partidos
Throughout his career, Raphael Claus has officiated hundreds of professional matches across domestic and international competitions.
Some notable partidos include:
- England vs Iran (FIFA World Cup 2022)
- Canada vs Morocco (FIFA World Cup 2022)
- Argentina vs Colombia (Copa América Final 2024)
- Venezuela vs Mexico (Copa América 2024)
- Numerous Copa Libertadores knockout matches
- Brazilian Série A title-deciding fixtures
These appointments reflect FIFA and CONMEBOL’s confidence in his ability to handle high-pressure games.
Officiating Style
Raphael Claus is known for:
- Strong communication with players
- Physical fitness and positioning
- Strict application of the Laws of the Game
- Frequent use of VAR protocols when necessary
- Calm handling of tense situations
While his disciplinary approach has earned praise from many analysts, supporters of teams involved in controversial matches have occasionally criticized his decisions.
Career Achievements
Some of Raphael Claus’ biggest achievements include:
- FIFA-listed referee since 2015
- FIFA World Cup referee
- Copa América Final referee
- Copa Libertadores official
- Brazilian Série A referee
- Multiple national refereeing awards in Brazil
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Raphael Claus?
Raphael Claus was born on September 6, 1979. He is 46 years old as of 2026.
Which country is Raphael Claus from?
He is from Brazil.
Why is Raphael Claus controversial?
His most significant controversy came after officiating the 2024 Copa América Final between Argentina and Colombia, where many Colombian supporters believed key penalty decisions went against their team.
Has Raphael Claus refereed the FIFA World Cup?
Yes. He officiated matches during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and has continued to receive FIFA appointments.
Conclusion
Raphael Claus has established himself as one of Brazil’s leading football referees through years of consistent performances in domestic and international competitions. Although his career has included controversial moments—particularly involving Colombia—he continues to receive high-profile appointments from FIFA and CONMEBOL. His experience, professionalism, and presence in elite tournaments ensure that he remains one of South America’s most prominent referees.
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