Australian FIFA Referee Faces Controversy Over Hand Gesture Allegation

FIFA World Cup Assistant Referee Under Scrutiny

An assistant referee from Australia is facing calls for dismissal after he allegedly made a white supremacist hand gesture during a recent FIFA World Cup match. The controversy arose during Sunday’s group-stage game between Germany and Curaçao, shown at Houston Stadium.

During the broadcast, cameras switched to the video assistant referee room in Dallas. Shaun Evans, the VAR official, was seen making an inverted “OK” sign with his right hand. While some dismissed the gesture as a joke, others interpreted it as a hate symbol associated with white power ideologies.

Calls for Dismissal

The Fare network, a partner of FIFA in combating discrimination, called for Evans’ dismissal, describing the gesture as “neo-Nazi.” “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,” their statement said.

BBC Sport reported anonymously that FIFA is investigating the matter. While Newsweek has reached out to various soccer associations, including FIFA, for comment, no statement has been made public.

Context of the Gesture

What Gesture Did Evans Make?

During Germany’s 7-1 win over Curaçao, Evans was briefly shown making the gesture. Since 2017, the OK sign has been linked to hate symbolism, according to the Anti-Defamation League, which formally designated it as such in 2019. Despite this, the ADL mentions that most uses of the gesture remain as a sign of assent or approval.

The controversy is due to the lack of contextual evidence supporting a supremacist intention. Many dismiss the gesture as innocuous or part of the “circle game,” meant to trick someone into looking at the hand before being playfully punched.

However, FIFA’s discrimination monitor insists on Evans’ dismissal, questioning his use of the symbol at a global event.

Profile of the Referee

Who Is Shaun Evans?

Born in 1987, Evans transitioned from bricklaying to officiating professionally in 2016. He expressed his enthusiasm for focusing on his refereeing career. By the end of the 2023-2024 season, he had officiated 170 matches in the A-League.

Evans was honored as Referee of the Year in the 2018-19 A-League and served as a VAR official during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Named as one of thirty VAR officials for this year’s tournament, Evans was one of four Australians among the 170 referees appointed.

It’s unclear whether Shaun Evans will continue officiating matches. FIFA typically reveals appointed referees shortly before a game, aiming to prevent any interference involving officials.

As of now, Evans’ Instagram presence is inactive, and FIFA has yet to release a statement on the incident.