Australian VAR official Shaun Evans is facing calls for removal after allegedly making a white-supremacist hand gesture during a World Cup broadcast.
The incident has sparked a debate over the intersection of hate symbols and harmless games, putting FIFA under pressure to maintain its anti-discrimination standards during the tournament.
The event occurred on Sunday, June 14, 2026 [2], during a match between Germany and Curaçao. Germany won the match with a score of seven–one [1]. During the live broadcast, Evans was seen making a hand gesture that resembled an "OK" sign, a symbol that has been adopted by white-supremacist groups.
FIFA's discrimination monitor said the gesture was a white-supremacist sign and therefore offensive. The monitor said Evans should be removed from his duties pending a full explanation of the action.
Other reports provide a different interpretation of the signal. Some sources said the gesture was an upside-down "OK" symbol, which is a central part of the "circle game," a prank played by students and adults. However, these sources noted that the same symbol is also listed as a hate symbol.
Evans serves as a video assistant referee, a role that requires impartiality and high visibility. The controversy follows the match on June 14, 2026 [2], as the international community reacts to the footage. FIFA has sought an explanation from the official regarding the intent behind the gesture.
The organization has not yet announced whether Evans will be suspended or permanently removed from the 2026 tournament. The case highlights the difficulty of monitoring officials in real-time broadcasts where ambiguous gestures can be interpreted as hate speech.
“FIFA’s discrimination monitor called for Evans to be removed pending an explanation”
This incident places FIFA in a difficult position regarding the enforcement of its discrimination policies. Because the 'OK' gesture can represent both a benign social game and a known hate symbol, the governing body must determine if the official's intent was malicious or accidental. A decision to retain or remove Evans will set a precedent for how the organization handles ambiguous symbols of hate during high-profile global events.
