FIFA clears World Cup referee accused of making white supremacist gesture

FIFA's independent Disciplinary Committee has found no evidence that Australian VAR official Shaun Evans breached the FIFA Disciplinary Code after being accused of making a white supremacist hand gesture during the World Cup. The accusation arose when Evans appeared to make an "OK" symbol during Germany's opening game against Curacao, with video officials working in Dallas. Evans stated the gesture was an unintentional, subconscious twitch, not intended to communicate any message or affiliation, and that he repeated the movement with a pen. FIFA's discrimination monitor had called for Evans' removal.

FIFA's discrimination monitor, the Fare network, has called for a video review official at the World Cup to be removed after he appeared to make a hand gesture resembling a white supremacist sign. The incident occurred during the broadcast of Germany's opening game against Curaçao on Sunday, when Australian official Shaun Evans made an "OK" symbol. Fare stated that the gesture resembles an upside-down "OK" symbol used by far-right circles and described it as "neo-nazi." While the gesture has been designated a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League, it is unclear if Evans's intention was political or a prank. Fare questioned why the official would use such a symbol during a global event when cameras were on him, noting that subsequent broadcasts have stopped introducing the VAR panel.

FIFA's discrimination monitor, the Fare network, has called for Australian VAR official Shaun Evans to be removed from the World Cup 2026. This request stems from Evans making an "OK" hand gesture on camera before Germany's game against Curacao. Fare stated that the gesture resembles a "white power" symbol used by far-right circles and described it as "neo-Nazi." The gesture was designated a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League in 2019. It remains unclear if Evans's gesture was intentional or a reference to a children's prank. FIFA has been contacted for comment.