FIFA clears VAR official Shaun Evans after hand gesture sparked far‑right symbol row at World Cup
Australian video assistant referee Shaun Evans was cleared of wrongdoing after a hand gesture during Germany's 7‑1 win over Curaçao was interpreted as a far‑right white power symbol, while the anti‑racism network FARE demanded his removal from the tournament.
The gesture
During the broadcast of Germany’s 7‑1 win over Curaçao in Houston, cameras showed Australian video assistant referee Shaun Evans in the VAR room in Dallas forming a circle with his thumb and index finger while extending the other fingers. The sequence lasted a few seconds. Social media users quickly drew a connection to the “OK” hand sign adopted by far‑right groups as a white power symbol, although the gesture also carries benign meanings in many cultures and in diving.
Reactions and FARE’s demand
The anti‑discrimination network Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) criticised the incident and called for consequences, stating that the official should play no further role at the tournament. The world governing body FIFA initially acknowledged the incident but did not comment publicly.
A worldwide television audience should not be confronted with far‑right individuals using neo‑Nazi symbols. It is clear that this official should play no further role at this World Cup.
Evans’s explanation
Later, Evans gave a statement to several media outlets. He said the movement was an involuntary, unconscious twitch and that he was not aware of it at the time.
Images taken later during the game showed that I repeated this movement many times while holding a pen between my fingers.
He added:
I want to make clear that I did not in any way intentionally make a hand movement or a symbol to convey a message, affiliation, game, or worldview of any kind.
FIFA’s ruling
After reviewing the matter, FIFA said it had found no evidence of violations of its disciplinary code. The governing body did not impose any sanction. Evans expressed regret that the gesture was misinterpreted and said the reporting did not reflect who he is.
Match outcome
While the controversy unfolded, the German team recorded its tenth consecutive victory. Felix Nmecha (6th minute), Nico Schlotterbeck (38th), Kai Havertz (45+5 penalty and 88th), Jamal Musiala (46th), Nathaniel Brown (68th) and Deniz Undav (78th) scored for Germany. Livano Comenencia equalised briefly for Curaçao in the 21st minute. The result was Germany’s second‑highest World Cup win after an 8‑0 defeat of Saudi Arabia in 2002.
