FIFA Referee Faces Scrutiny Over Controversial Gesture

An assistant referee from Australia is under scrutiny during the FIFA World Cup following accusations of making a controversial gesture. Shaun Evans, a video assistant referee (VAR) official, was seen making an inverted ‘OK’ sign during a match between Germany and Curaçao at Houston Stadium. This gesture, caught by cameras in the officiating room in Dallas, has been linked to white supremacist ideologies, prompting calls for his dismissal.

The Fare network, which works with FIFA to combat discrimination, urged the organization to dismiss Evans, describing the gesture as ‘neo-Nazi.’ The network stated, “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.” They argued, “Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup.”

BBC Sport, citing anonymous sources, reported that FIFA is investigating the incident. Newsweek attempted to reach Evans and has contacted Australia’s Professional Football Referees Association and Football Australia for comments. FIFA has also been approached for feedback.

What Gesture Did Evans Make?

During the broadcast of Germany’s 7-1 victory over Curaçao, Evans, aged 38, was briefly shown making the hand gesture. Since 2017, the Anti-Defamation League has recognized the OK sign as a hate symbol. However, they emphasize that most uses of the gesture still signify approval, and contextual evidence is necessary to link it to white supremacy.

Many online have dismissed the gesture as harmless, interpreting it as part of the ‘circle game,’ where one tricks others into looking at the hand before delivering a playful punch. Despite this, FIFA’s discrimination monitor has advocated for Evans’s dismissal. “Why is a VAR supervisor using this symbol at a global football event at the very moment he knows the cameras are on him?” they questioned.

FIFA has since altered broadcast practices to not formally introduce VAR officials following this event.

Who Is Shaun Evans?

Born in 1987, Shaun Evans transitioned from bricklaying to a full-time referee career in 2016, as per MyFootball.com. “This is an amazing opportunity for me to really focus on my refereeing career,” Evans expressed at the time. His refereeing journey began in 2004, officiating 170 A-League matches by the 2023-2024 season. He was named Referee of the Year in the 2018-2019 A-League and served as a VAR official during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

In April, Evans was selected as one of thirty VAR officials for the current tournament, being one of only four Australians among 170 referees overall. FIFA tactically releases the names of officiating teams shortly before matches to mitigate potential interference. Based on the rotation system, Evans is expected to officiate three to four matches in the 104-game tournament.

As of Monday, Evans has deactivated his Instagram account. FIFA has not publicly commented on the incident yet.