FIFA opens investigation into VAR referee's 'white power' hand gesture at World Cup

The gesture during Germany-Curaçao

On Sunday, during the broadcast of Germany’s 7-1 win over Curaçao, cameras cut to the video review studio in Dallas where VAR officials sat. Australian supervisor Shaun Evans, standing behind the seated referees, formed a circle with his right hand’s thumb and index finger while extending the other three fingers. The gesture, held at waist level and directed at the camera, was interpreted by anti-discrimination network Fare as an upside-down "OK" sign used as a white power symbol.

Advice from our experts is that the gesture used clearly resembles an upside down 'OK' hand symbol used as a 'white power' symbol in global far-right circles.

The gesture has dual meanings: it can signify "OK" or serve as a prank in the "circle game," but in far-right circles it became associated with white supremacy after a hoax on the online forum 4chan approximately a decade ago.

Investigation and reactions

FIFA confirmed it is aware of the incident and opened a formal investigation, but declined further comment. The Telegraph noted that Evans was offered the chance to respond through the federation. Fare called for his immediate dismissal, stating that a global audience should not see extremist symbols before a match.

Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup.

The Anti-Defamation League, which catalogued the sign as a hate symbol in 2019, urged caution. "Because of the traditional meaning of the 'okay' hand gesture, as well as other usages unrelated to white supremacy, particular care must be taken not to jump to conclusions about the intent behind someone who has used the gesture," its website says.

Symbol's history and past incidents

The symbol gained notoriety after Australian terrorist Brenton Tarrant made it during a 2019 court appearance following his attack on mosques in Christchurch, which killed 50 people. In 2024, an official at the Paris Olympics was stripped of accreditation for making a similar gesture during the women’s skateboarding finals. U.S. sports teams have also taken action: DC United fired a fitness coach and the Chicago Cubs banned a fan for using the sign.

Changing broadcast and next steps

After the controversy, match directors altered the coverage. In subsequent games between Côte d'Ivoire and Ecuador and Sweden and Tunisia, the VAR team was shown at work rather than posing for the camera. Evans, a regular referee in Australia’s A-League, is one of 30 analysts selected for the tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The FIFA investigation is ongoing.