Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Jun 15

FIFA Reviews Shaun Evans After 'White Power' Gesture Claim During Germany's 7-1 World Cup Win

Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Jun 15

FIFA Reviews Shaun Evans After 'White Power' Gesture Claim During Germany's 7-1 World Cup Win

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 15

FIFA said it was aware of allegations that Australian video referee Shaun Evans flashed a hand sign resembling a White power symbol when the broadcast cut to the VAR studio during Germany's 7-1 win over Curaçao.
Fare Network, a FIFA anti-discrimination partner since 2015, said experts believed the upside-down OK gesture clearly matched a far-right symbol and urged that Evans play no further role at the tournament.
FIFA declined further comment and, as of late Sunday, had offered no explanation from Evans, while Fare said TV directors appeared to stop showing the VAR panel in the next two matches.
The Anti-Defamation League classifies the sign as a hate symbol but says context matters because it also has longstanding non-extremist uses, including the ordinary OK sign and a playground game.

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The New York Times17h ago

World Cup Referee Shaun Evans Accused of 'White Power' Gesture During Broadcast

Express9h ago

FIFA investigate World Cup ref accused of 'white power' gesture on TV | Football | Sport | Express.co.uk

The Times17h ago

World Cup VAR accused of making 'white supremacist' gesture

11 Sources

How did a simple 'OK' gesture become a career-ending controversy at the World Cup?

A career on the line over a hand gesture: innocent mistake or intentional hate symbol?

FIFA Investigates VAR Shaun Evans Over "OK" Gesture Controversy at 2026 World Cup: Symbolism, Stakeholder Reactions, and Anti-Discrimination Implications

Overview

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Australian VAR Shaun Evans was seen making an upside-down 'OK' hand gesture on live TV, sparking widespread speculation and concern on social media. The gesture, which the Anti-Defamation League designated as a hate symbol in 2019 due to its adoption by some far-right groups, led to immediate public debate about its intent. FIFA quickly acknowledged the incident and began an internal investigation, but neither Evans nor Australian football authorities have commented. The ambiguity of the gesture’s meaning and FIFA’s response highlight the challenges of enforcing anti-discrimination policies in global sports.

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