FIFA Clears Referee Shaun Evans Following "OK" Gesture Controversy

FIFA has concluded its investigation into World Cup 2026 official Shaun Evans, clearing him of intentionally making a gesture that some interpreted as a white supremacy symbol.

The Australian referee, who was working as part of the VAR team at the World Cup broadcast center in Dallas, was observed making an "OK" symbol with his right hand during the official broadcast of Germany's opening game against Curaçao on Sunday. The match was played in Houston.

Following numerous complaints, the gesture, which involves forming a circle with the thumb and forefinger while extending other fingers, was identified as a hate symbol by the New York-based Anti-Defamation League in 2019. However, the symbol also has a history as a children's prank known as the "circle game," and was appropriated as a white supremacy signal from a hoax on the far-right online message board 4chan a decade ago.

Evans denied making the gesture "knowingly or deliberately." He stated it was "an involuntary, subconscious twitch" and that he was "unaware" he had made it. In a released statement, Evans said, "The coverage following this incident simply does not reflect who I am." He added, "Of course, I understand how the gesture has been interpreted and I regret this, however I want to be very clear and categorically say that I did not knowingly or deliberately make the hand symbol suggested."

FIFA's investigation concluded that there was "no evidence of breaches of the Fifa Disciplinary Code." Evans is one of 30 video review analysts selected by FIFA to work at the World Cup, which is being played across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

(Source: Yahoo Sports Soccer)