FIFA closes investigation into World Cup referee's alleged white supremacist gesture

The incident

On Sunday, during the pre-game broadcast of the World Cup match between Germany and Curaçao, video assistant referee Shaun Evans was shown making a hand symbol with his right hand. The gesture, formed by touching thumb and forefinger to create a circle while extending other fingers, resembles an upside-down "OK" sign. While the symbol is used in an innocent children's game, it has also been adopted by far-right groups as a white power sign. The Anti-Defamation League designated it a hate symbol in 2019.

“The gesture used clearly resembles an upside down 'OK' hand symbol used as a 'white power' symbol in global far-right circles.”

The Fare network, FIFA's discrimination monitoring partner, called for Evans to be removed from the tournament.

Evans' response

Evans issued a statement denying any intentional message behind the gesture. He described the movement as an involuntary, subconscious twitch, adding that he was unaware of it at the time.

“I did not intentionally make a hand gesture or symbol to communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind.”

He noted that later images from the match showed him repeating the movement while holding a pen between his fingers, supporting the claim of an unconscious habit. Evans said he understood how the gesture was interpreted and regretted it, but categorically denied making the symbol knowingly or deliberately.

FIFA closes case

FIFA's independent disciplinary committee announced on Monday that it had examined the matter and found no evidence of a violation of the disciplinary code. The committee took note of Evans' statement and closed the preliminary investigation.

“FIFA's independent Disciplinary Committee can confirm that, after looking into the matter involving support video assistant referee Shaun Evans, it has found no evidence of breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”

The decision ended speculation that Evans might be sent home from the tournament.

Broadcast changes

Following the incident, the television presentation of the VAR room shifted in subsequent matches. In the three matches that followed, when the feed cut to the video officials, they were already facing their monitors and none looked directly at the camera. This contrasted with earlier broadcasts where officials faced forward during the introduction.

The short incident did not appear to affect the match itself, which Germany won 7-1 against Curaçao. Evans remains part of the officiating team for the rest of the World Cup.