A video assistant referee (VAR) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was captured on camera making a hand gesture widely recognized as a white supremacist symbol during Germany’s 7-1 victory over Curaçao on Sunday. Shaun Evans, an Australian official, flashed an upside-down “OK” sign—a gesture the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) designated as a hate symbol in 2019—while posing for a pre-match camera introduction in the VAR hub in Dallas. The incident has sparked calls from anti-discrimination groups for his immediate removal from the tournament.
Who Is Shaun Evans and What Does the Gesture Mean?
Shaun Evans, a 30-year-old Australian, is one of 30 VAR officials selected by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, his first appearance at the tournament. The gesture he made—a thumb and forefinger forming a circle with the other fingers extended—has two interpretations: a harmless children’s game called “gotcha” or a far-right symbol appropriated by white supremacists over a decade ago. The latter interpretation gained prominence after the Christchurch shooter in New Zealand used it during a 2019 court appearance, prompting the ADL to classify it as a hate symbol.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) emphasized in 2019 that context is key, noting that while the gesture has been used for hateful purposes, it also has benign meanings. “There is enough of a volume of use for hateful purposes that we felt it was important to add” it to their database of extremist symbols, said Oren Segal, director of the ADL’s Centre on Extremism via The Guardian. However, Fare, a longstanding FIFA and UEFA partner monitoring discrimination in football, called the gesture “neo-Nazi” and demanded Evans be removed from the tournament.
How Did FIFA and Broadcasters Respond?
FIFA has not yet issued a public statement on the incident, though the BBC reported that the organization is seeking an explanation from Evans. The AP confirmed that FIFA is investigating the matter, while AP News noted that broadcasters abruptly changed their pre-match rituals after the Germany-Curaçao game. Instead of showing VAR officials posing for the camera, they now display the team already facing their monitors, avoiding any further exposure of the VAR hub.
For more on this story, see VAR accused of far-right ‘white power’ gesture during World Cup broadcast.
Fare’s statement highlighted the inconsistency: “Why is a VAR supervisor using this symbol at a global football event at the very moment he knows the cameras are on him?” The group also pointed out that broadcasters stopped introducing the VAR panel in subsequent matches, suggesting a deliberate effort to distance themselves from the controversy. “A global television audience should not be subjected to extremist far-right individuals using neo-Nazi symbols,” Fare declared.
What Are the Stakes for FIFA and the Tournament?
The incident comes at a sensitive time for FIFA, which has faced repeated criticism over its handling of racism and discrimination in football. Fare, which has been a FIFA partner since 2015, is monitoring the tournament for discriminatory incidents both in stadiums and on social media. The group’s intervention carries weight, as it has a proven track record of influencing FIFA’s policies—including the implementation of an anti-discrimination monitoring system at major competitions.
For Evans, the fallout could be severe. If FIFA determines the gesture was intentional, his career—and reputation—could be irreparably damaged. The Professional Football Referees Association in Australia and Football Australia have not yet commented, but the pressure on FIFA to act decisively is mounting. The New York Times noted that the symbol has been used in other high-profile incidents, including by a U.S. Coast Guard employee in 2018 and an MLB fan at Wrigley Field in 2019, both of whom faced consequences for their actions.
What Happens Next?
FIFA’s next steps will be closely watched. The organization has faced scrutiny in recent years over its handling of discriminatory incidents, including racist chants and symbols at major tournaments. If FIFA takes no action, it risks further damaging its reputation as a global governing body committed to inclusivity. However, if it moves swiftly to suspend or remove Evans, it could set a precedent for how such incidents are addressed in the future.
This follows our earlier report, Somali Referee Omar Artan Denied Entry at Miami Airport, FIFA Blocks 2026 World Cup Assignment.
For now, the VAR hub remains in Dallas, but the incident has already altered how broadcasters present the officials. The question is whether FIFA will follow suit and take stronger action. As Fare’s statement made clear, the stakes are high: “Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup.” The coming days will determine whether FIFA listens.
One thing is certain: the controversy will cast a shadow over the tournament’s opening weeks, serving as a reminder that even in the world’s biggest sporting event, the fight against racism and extremism is far from over.
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