A World Cup video assistant referee (VAR) has been accused of making a “white power” hand gesture during a live broadcast of Germany’s 7-1 victory over Curaçao on Sunday, sparking outrage from anti-discrimination groups and calls for his removal from the tournament.
The incident, captured on camera during a pre-match segment where VAR officials pose for the broadcast, has reignited debates over hate symbols in global sports and FIFA’s ability to police its officials. Shaun Evans, an Australian VAR supervisor, made the gesture—a thumb and forefinger in a circle with three extended fingers—while standing in the VAR hub in Dallas. The symbol, widely recognized as a far-right hate sign, has been condemned by organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Fare network, which works with FIFA on anti-discrimination efforts.
What the Gesture Means—and Why It Matters
The hand signal, often called the “OK” gesture when used upside-down, has been co-opted by white supremacists as a coded symbol for “white power.” The ADL, which designated it a hate symbol in 2019, notes that while the gesture can have harmless meanings (such as a children’s game), its association with extremism is now well-documented. Brenton Tarrant, the Australian white supremacist who killed 50 people in a 2019 mosque attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, used the symbol during his courtroom appearance, cementing its ties to far-right ideology.
According to the New York Times, the gesture was made during a moment when VAR officials were briefly shown on camera before the match. The BBC reported that FIFA is now seeking an explanation from Evans, though the organization has not yet issued a public statement. The incident follows a pattern: in 2018, a U.S. Coast Guard employee was removed from duty after making the gesture, and in 2023, Major League Soccer (MLS) side D.C. United fired an athletic trainer for posting the symbol on social media.
The Reaction: Calls for Evans’ Removal and FIFA’s Response
The backlash was immediate. The Fare network, a long-standing partner of FIFA in combating discrimination, released a statement calling for Evans to be removed from the World Cup. “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 asked. “It can only be that he is intentionally transmitting a far-right neo-Nazi symbol.” The statement added that the gesture “should have no further role to play in this World Cup.”
“A global television audience should not be subjected to extremist far-right individuals using neo-Nazi symbols as they prepare to watch a match. Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup.”
FIFA has not yet commented publicly, but the BBC confirmed that the organization is investigating the incident. Meanwhile, the Professional Football Referees Association in Australia and Football Australia have been contacted for comment, though no response has been reported as of Monday. The AP noted that Evans, who is working his first World Cup, may have been unaware of the gesture’s extremist connotations—or may have made it intentionally.
A Pattern of Hate Symbols in Sports—and What Comes Next
This is not the first time a hate symbol has surfaced in high-profile sports broadcasts. In 2019, the Chicago Cubs banned a fan from Wrigley Field after he made the gesture during an NBC Sports broadcast. That same year, the ADL’s Oren Segal, director of the Center on Extremism, told reporters that while the gesture could have harmless origins, its association with white supremacy was now undeniable. “There is enough of a volume of use for hateful purposes that we felt it was important to add [it to the hate symbols list],” Segal said.
The incident has also prompted a shift in how VAR officials are presented on broadcast feeds. The BBC observed that in the two games following Germany vs. Curaçao, TV directors stopped showing the VAR panel posing for the camera—likely to avoid similar controversies. This change underscores the delicate balance FIFA faces: maintaining transparency about officiating while avoiding further scandals.
The Broader Context: FIFA’s Anti-Discrimination Efforts—and Their Limits
FIFA has long positioned itself as a leader in combating discrimination, partnering with organizations like Fare to monitor and address hateful behavior at its events. In a 2023 post on its website, FIFA described Fare as a “close partner” in its human rights work, highlighting the implementation of an anti-discrimination monitoring system at competitions to “identify and help address discriminatory incidents in stadia.” Yet, the Evans incident raises questions about whether these systems are sufficient—or if they can keep pace with the evolving tactics of extremist groups.
The ADL’s caution about the gesture—”particular care must be taken not to jump to conclusions about the intent behind someone who has used the gesture”—highlights the complexity. While the symbol is widely recognized as a hate sign, intent remains a legal and ethical gray area. For FIFA, the challenge is clear: how to balance free expression with the need to protect the integrity of the World Cup as a global, inclusive event.
What Happens Now? The Next Steps for Evans and FIFA
As of Monday, Evans remains on duty, though his future at the World Cup is uncertain. FIFA’s decision will hinge on whether the gesture was intentional or accidental—and whether the organization is willing to take swift action against one of its officials. The AP reported that FIFA is “looking for answers,” but no timeline has been set for a response.
If Evans is removed, it would send a strong message about FIFA’s commitment to stamping out hate symbols in football. But if he is allowed to continue, it could embolden others to make similar gestures, knowing the consequences may be minimal. The incident also raises broader questions about how sports organizations police their officials—and whether current measures are enough to prevent such controversies in the future.
One thing is clear: the Evans case will be watched closely by anti-discrimination groups, players, and fans alike. For a tournament built on unity and celebration, the presence of hate symbols—even inadvertently—poses a direct threat to its core values.
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