Video assistant referee Shaun Evans has clarified that his hand gesture, which resembled an upside-down ‘OK’ sign, was an “involuntary, subconscious twitch,” following a review by Fifa that found no misconduct.
Evans stated he was “unaware” of making the gesture and denied any intention of conveying a message or belief of any kind.
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The 38-year-old Australian was seen making the sign during a broadcast of the VAR team at the referee hub in Dallas, moments before Germany’s 7-1 victory over Curacao on Sunday.
While the gesture can be interpreted in various ways—including innocuous meanings and associations with white supremacy—Fifa concluded its investigation by stating there was “no evidence of breaches of the Fifa Disciplinary Code.”
The incident sparked a wide array of speculation on social media.
“The coverage that followed does not represent who I am,” Evans commented in a statement from Fifa. “I understand how the gesture was interpreted and regret any misunderstanding. However, I want to make it very clear that I did not deliberately make the suggested hand symbol.”
Evans remains eligible for selection for the remainder of the tournament.
Fifa’s Findings
Fifa released a statement confirming the completion of their investigation and that no actions would be taken against Evans. He explained that video footage from the VAR room demonstrated that the gesture was unintentional.
“Subsequent images from the match revealed that I repeated similar movements multiple times while holding a pen,” he noted.
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Evans expressed his pride in officiating at the World Cup and his eagerness to support his colleagues for the duration of the tournament.
The Professional Football Referees’ Association (PFRA) from Australia welcomed Fifa’s findings. They released a statement affirming that Evans embodies the core values of professionalism, respect, and integrity expected of football officials. The PFRA also acknowledged Evans’s public statement and emphasized the need for fairness and due process in such matters.
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Changes in Broadcast Approach
In recent matches of the World Cup, Fifa has shifted its focus during broadcasts, presenting the officials without the pre-match pose that had been part of global coverage. When the VAR team was shown after the incident, they remained focused on their monitors, no longer looking at the camera.
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The incident occurs within a context where the upside-down ‘OK’ gesture has various connotations, including its history as part of a popular prank in the US sitcom *Malcolm in the Middle* and its later appropriation by far-right groups. The Anti-Defamation League added this gesture to its list of hate symbols in 2019, linking it to trolling activities by right-leaning individuals.
Anti-discrimination organization Fare urged Fifa to address the matter prior to the official statements, indicating expert opinions that the gesture had clear associations with white supremacy. Kick It Out, another anti-discrimination group, also requested clarification regarding Evans’s gesture from Fifa.
Evans, on Fifa’s referee list since 2017, has extensive officiating experience in the Australian A League since 2012, including overseeing the Grand Final in 2019.