Australian VAR official Shaun Evans has publicly denied intentionally making a hand gesture that was widely perceived to be connected to white supremacy during a live broadcast of a World Cup match. The incident occurred on Sunday during Germany's opening game against Curaçao, where Evans was part of the video review team in Dallas.
During a cutaway on the official broadcast, Evans was seen forming an 'OK' symbol with his right hand, positioned in front of his right leg. This particular gesture, where the thumb and forefinger touch to form a circle with other fingers outstretched, has been identified by the New York-based Anti-Defamation League as a hate symbol since 2019, leading to numerous complaints following the match played in Houston.
Following an investigation by FIFA, which ultimately cleared Evans, the official issued a statement addressing the controversy. He maintained that the gesture was 'an involuntary, subconscious twitch' and that he was 'unaware' of having made it. Evans stated, 'The coverage following this incident simply does not reflect who I am. 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.'
FIFA confirmed that its investigation found 'no evidence of breaches of the Fifa Disciplinary Code.' This was Evans's first game working at the World Cup, and the incident sparked debate, with some suggesting the gesture might have been an innocent 'circle game' – a children's prank where an upside-down 'OK' sign below the waist results in a punch for anyone who looks at it. However, the symbol was also appropriated approximately a decade ago as a signal for white supremacy, originating from a hoax on the far-right online message board 4chan.
The controversy highlights the complex and sometimes ambiguous nature of symbols in the modern era, particularly when they are adopted and recontextualised across different communities and platforms. While Evans has been cleared by football's governing body, the incident serves as a reminder of the heightened scrutiny officials face in high-profile international events and the potential for gestures to be misinterpreted or carry unintended connotations.