World Cup referee accused of making controversial gesture during broadcast

World Cup official Shaun Evans has been accused of making a ‘white power’ hand gesture ahead of Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao.

The Australian official was on VAR duty to provide screen assistance for Sunday’s Group E opener.

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As the World Cup FIFA broadcast showed the match officials posing ahead of kick-off, the camera then cut to those in VAR studio.

Evans could be seen standing up and smiling, but he may have landed himself in hot water over a controversial gesture he did.

The A-League referee could be seen with right hand to do an upside ‘OK’ signal.

Why is the gesture so controversial?

In recent years, the downwards finger-and-thumb gesture has been used as a far-right symbol to represent white supremacy.

It is the same gesture which saw a Paris 2024 official at the Olympic Games having his accreditation revoked for appearing to make it during the women’s street skate finals.

The BBC reported in 2019 that the ‘OK’ had sign has been added to a list of hate symbols.

Evans’ gesture, which could be interpreted as racist, was immediately picked up by fans watching on TV.

It has been reported that FIFA are aware of the incident, with it remaining to be seen whether they will launch an investigation.

The anti-discrimination Fare network released a statement on Sunday demanding that Evans be sent home from North America.

It read: “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.

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“Why is a VAR supervisor is using this symbol at a global football event at the very moment he knows the cameras are on him?

“It can only be that he is intentionally transmitting a far-right neo-nazi symbol.

“We note that in the two subsequent games it appears TV directors have stopped introducing the VAR panel to the TV audience.

“A global television audience should not be subjected to extremist far right individuals using neo-Nazi symbols as they prepare to watch a match.

“Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup.”

Though the Anti-Defamation League [ADL] stress that caution must come into consideration of anyone doing the gesture in question.

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A statement on their website reads: “Because of the traditional meaning of the ‘OK’ hand gesture, as well as other usages unrelated to white supremacy, particular care must be taken not to jump to conclusions about the intent behind someone who has used the gesture.”

Germany domination

Following on from the incident in question, Germany eased to a thumping victory over World Cup debutants Curacao.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing as Curacao stunned the four-time champions as Livano Comenencia equalised to cancel out Felix Nmecha’s early opener.

However, Germany struck twice more before the break to lead 3-1 courtesy of Nico Schlotterbeck’s header and a Kai Havertz penalty.

Jamal Musiala soon extended Germany’s lead two minutes into the second half, before Nathaniel Brown and Denis Undav got on the score sheet.

Arsenal star Havertz then completed the rout in the 88th minute with a deft chip over Eloy Room for his second of the match.