Video Assistant Referee Shaun Evans Clarifies Controversial Hand Gesture During World Cup 2026

Shaun Evans, a video assistant referee, asserts that his hand gesture during a World Cup match was an involuntary action, following an investigation by FIFA that found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Shaun Evans, a video assistant referee, has stated that a hand gesture he made during a World Cup match was an "involuntary, subconscious twitch". This comment came after he was cleared by a FIFA investigation regarding the incident.

Evans expressed that he was "unaware" of making the gesture and emphasized that he did not "intentionally" try to convey any message, affiliation, or belief through the hand movement. The Australian referee was seen making an upside-down 'OK' sign with his right hand when FIFA broadcast a shot of the VAR team located in Dallas before the match between Germany and Curacao on Sunday, which ended in a 7-1 victory for Germany.

This particular gesture has two interpretations: one is benign, while the other is associated with a symbol of white supremacy. Following an investigation, FIFA announced that it found "no evidence of breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code" related to this incident, despite the surge of speculation on social media.

In a statement released by FIFA, Evans said, "The coverage following this incident simply does not reflect who I am. 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." He remains eligible for selection for the duration of the tournament.

FIFA confirmed that an investigation was conducted but that no action would be taken against Evans. The 38-year-old referee elaborated that video evidence from the VAR room indicated that he had made involuntary hand movements. He noted, "Images taken later during the match showed that I repeated this movement many times while holding a pen between my fingers."

Evans conveyed that officiating at the World Cup is the highlight of his career and expressed enthusiasm for continuing to support his colleagues throughout the tournament.

Prior to matches at the World Cup, FIFA has focused on the officials as part of its global coverage. The referee and his team typically walk to the touchline, where a graphic displaying their names and roles appears. The broadcast then transitions to show the VAR team in Dallas. Traditionally, the officials have posed for the camera, and their names have been displayed on screen.

However, following the incident involving Evans, there was a noticeable change in the pre-match rituals. In subsequent matches, the VAR officials were shown facing their monitors instead of posing for the camera, although their names continued to appear on screen.

The gesture made by Evans bears resemblance to a hand signal used in a circle game, which gained popularity through the US sitcom Malcolm in the Middle and became an internet meme. The upside-down 'OK' sign is typically made with the hand positioned below the waist, and the game involves punching another person in the shoulder if they look at the hand.

In 2017, however, the 'OK' sign began to be co-opted by far-right groups as a means of signaling to one another. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) added the gesture to its list of hate symbols in 2019, stating that it has become a "popular trolling tactic" among right-leaning individuals, who often share images on social media making the gesture.

The anti-discrimination organization Fare, which collaborates with FIFA and UEFA to combat racism, had urged FIFA to take action prior to the statements released on Monday evening. Fare noted that experts had advised them that the gesture used by Evans closely resembles the upside-down 'OK' hand symbol associated with white power in far-right circles globally.

The BBC Sport has learned that the anti-discrimination group Kick It Out has also reached out to FIFA for clarification regarding the gesture. Evans has been included on FIFA's list of referees since 2017 and has extensive experience as a VAR, having officiated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In Australia, he has been a referee in the A-League since 2012 and officiated the Grand Final in 2019.

Following the incident, none of the VAR teams posed for the camera in the three matches that ensued, instead focusing on their monitors. This change in procedure continued for the fixtures on Monday, with FIFA providing no explanation for the shift.