VAR Referee Shaun Evans Cleared After Alleged White Power Gesture During Germany-Curaçao Match

FIFA has cleared Australian VAR supervisor Shaun Evans, who was accused of making a white supremacist gesture during the World Cup match between Germany and Curaçao, which the Mannschaft won 7-1.

Footage captured during the match shows Evans briefly making an inverted “OK” sign — thumb and index finger joined, three other fingers extended. This gesture, co-opted in recent years by far-right movements, is interpreted as a symbol of “White Power”: the three fingers supposedly form the “W” of White and the other two the “P” of Power.

The anti-discrimination network Fare (Football Against Racism in Europe) reacted strongly. “Our experts believe the gesture used clearly resembles an inverted ‘OK’ sign, a symbol of white power in international far-right circles,” the organization stated, adding: “This can only be an intentional way to transmit a far-right neo-Nazi symbol.”

Seized of the matter, FIFA opened a disciplinary investigation before concluding there was no proven misconduct. “The FIFA Disciplinary Commission can confirm that after examining the case concerning VAR referee Shaun Evans, no evidence of a violation of the FIFA Disciplinary Code has been established,” the body said.

Shaun Evans denied any intention, describing the gesture as “an involuntary and unconscious tic.” The controversy erupted as the match itself drew attention for other reasons: Curaçao, qualifying for a World Cup for the first time in its history, briefly equalized 1-1 thanks to Livano Comenencia before suffering a heavy defeat.