Australian video assistant referee Shaun Evans has explained that a hand gesture he made during a World Cup match was an involuntary and subconscious twitch, after the symbol was linked to white supremacy. FIFA has cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Gesture caught on camera
During the broadcast of Germany's 7-1 victory over Curacao in Houston on Sunday, the VAR officials were shown on screen. Evans was seen making a hand symbol with his right hand, forming a circle with his thumb and forefinger while extending his other three fingers below his waist. When held upward, the gesture is commonly recognized as an 'OK' sign, but when pointed downward, it has been adopted by some far-right groups as a 'white power' symbol.
Evans' explanation
In a statement, Evans said: 'I would like to clarify that I did not intentionally make a hand gesture or symbol to communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind. The only explanation I can offer is that the movement was an involuntary, subconscious twitch and I was unaware I had done it at the time.' He added that images from later in the match showed him repeating the movement while holding a pen between his fingers.
'The coverage following this incident simply does not reflect who I am,' Evans continued. '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's response
FIFA's independent disciplinary committee investigated the matter and found no evidence of a breach of the FIFA disciplinary code. In a statement, FIFA said: 'The disciplinary committee has also taken note of Mr Evans' statement.'
Fare network disagrees
However, the anti-discrimination network Fare (Football Against Racism in Europe) has called for Evans to be removed from officiating duties at the World Cup. Fare stated: 'Advice from our experts is that the gesture used clearly resembles an upside-down 'OK' hand symbol used as a 'white power' symbol in global far-right circles. Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup.'
The network also questioned why Evans would make such a gesture while knowing cameras were on him, noting that in subsequent games, TV directors have stopped introducing the VAR panel to the audience.
Context of the symbol
The symbol gained notoriety in 2019 when Australian Brenton Tarrant made it in court after being arrested for murdering 50 people in a mosque shooting in New Zealand. The gesture has since been associated with far-right extremism.
Evans emphasized that officiating at the World Cup is the biggest honor of his career and he looks forward to supporting his colleagues for the rest of the tournament.
