FIFA World Cup Assistant Referee Faces Controversy Over Hand Gesture

An assistant referee from Australia participating in the FIFA World Cup is under scrutiny, with calls for his dismissal following allegations of making a white supremacist gesture during a recent match.

Incident During the Game

During Sunday’s group-stage match between Germany and Curaçao at Houston Stadium, the broadcast switched to the officiating room in Dallas. Shaun Evans, the video assistant referee (VAR) official, was seen making an inverted “OK” sign with his right hand. While some dismissed this as a joke, others argue that the gesture resembles a symbol linked to white supremacist ideologies. This perspective aligns with FIFA’s discrimination monitor.

According to a statement quoted by The Associated Press, the Fare network, a partner of FIFA that works to combat discrimination in soccer, urged FIFA to dismiss Evans, referring to the gesture as “neo-Nazi.”

“Advice from our experts is that the gesture used resembles an upside-down ‘OK’ symbol, recognized as a ‘white power’ symbol in global far-right circles,” the statement read. “This official should play no further role in this World Cup.”

Investigation by FIFA

The BBC Sport, citing anonymous sources, reported that FIFA is investigating the matter. Newsweek tried to contact Evans directly but was unsuccessful. They reached out to Australia’s Professional Football Referees Association (PFRA), Football Australia, and FIFA for comments but have not yet received a response.

Details of the Gesture

During Germany’s 7-1 victory over Curaçao, Evans, 38, was seen making the gesture. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) notes that the “OK” sign became associated as a hate symbol around 2017, officially recognizing it in 2019. However, the ADL clarifies that the “overwhelming usage” still signifies approval or assent. Online, many have dismissed the gesture as a play on the “circle game,” a common prank, but FIFA’s monitor insists on action against Evans.

“Why is a VAR supervisor using this symbol at a global football event when the cameras are on him?” the group queried.

Due to the incident, broadcast introductions for VAR officials have ceased; meanwhile, BBC Sport noted that subsequent matches show officials already at their monitors without formal introductions.

Profile of Shaun Evans

Born in 1987, Evans worked as a bricklayer before becoming a full-time referee. “This is an amazing opportunity for me to focus on my refereeing career,” Evans stated in 2016. He began refereeing in 2004, officiating 170 A-League matches by the 2023-2024 season’s end. He earned Referee of the Year in the 2018-19 A-League and served as a VAR official at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

In April, FIFA named Evans among 30 VAR officials for this year’s tournament, making him one of four Australians out of 170 referees selected. ESPN explains that FIFA does not disclose upcoming match officials until shortly before games, minimizing potential interference. Based on prior competition schedules, Evans is expected to officiate in three to four matches during the tournament.

As of Monday, Evans’ Instagram account is deactivated. FIFA has yet to make a public comment on the situation.