The incident centers on an apparent hand gesture made by Australian video assistant referee Shaun Evans during Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao in Houston. Broadcast footage showed Evans making a hand sign with his thumb and forefinger forming a circle while other fingers were extended downward, a variant that critics say can resemble an “OK” gesture when inverted. Several organisations and commentators linked the upside-down version of the symbol to “white power” messaging used by some far-right groups.
FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe), FIFA’s anti-discrimination partner, publicly called for Evans to be removed from World Cup duties, arguing the gesture resembles a white supremacist sign and questioning why a VAR official would make it during a period when cameras were trained on the VAR area. Evans later defended himself, saying he did not intend to communicate any message and that the movement was an “involuntary, subconscious twitch,” adding that he was unaware he had made the gesture.
FIFA responded that its independent disciplinary committee found no evidence Evans breached the FIFA disciplinary code, while taking note of his statement. The dispute remains between Evans’ explanation and FARE’s interpretation.
