Australian football official Shaun Evans has been supported by his representative body following an incident involving a controversial hand gesture during Sunday's World Cup match between Germany and Curacao. Evans, who was operating in the VAR hub, was seen making an upside down 'OK' gesture when the broadcast feed cut to his position.
The gesture in question has gained notoriety due to its association with far-right groups and was formally designated as a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League in 2019. This context led to widespread discussion and concern after the incident was broadcast globally.
In response to the controversy, Evans issued a statement clarifying his actions. He asserted that the gesture was 'an involuntary, subconscious twitch' and that he was entirely unaware of making it at the time. He further explained that images from later in the match showed him repeating similar movements while holding a pen, reinforcing his claim of it being an unintentional habit.
FIFA launched an inquiry into the matter, seeking answers from Evans regarding the gesture. Following their review, the global football governing body concluded there was no evidence to suggest Evans had breached its disciplinary code. This outcome was welcomed by the Professional Football Referees Association (PFRA).
The PFRA subsequently released a statement to the Press Association, expressing their full support for Evans. They highlighted his consistent demonstration of the values expected of football officials, including professionalism, respect, and integrity. The organisation also reiterated its unequivocal rejection of racism, discrimination, and extremist ideology in all forms, while acknowledging Evans' public explanation and the importance of due process.
Evans himself expressed regret over how the gesture was interpreted, stating, 'Of course, I understand how the gesture has been interpreted and I regret this, however I want to be very clear and categorically say that I did not knowingly or deliberately make the hand symbol suggested.' He concluded by stating that officiating at the World Cup is the biggest honour of his career and he looks forward to supporting his colleagues for the remainder of the tournament.