World Cup referee hits back at claims he made ‘white supremacy’ sign on live TV
A World Cup video review official (VAR) who was being investigated for ‘making a white supremacist’ gesture on live TV has been cleared by FIFA and released a statement explaining the action.
During the official broadcast of Germany’s opening game against Curaçao on Sunday (14 June), ahead of kick-off, the cameras panned to the VAR officials in Dallas, where Australian official Shaun Evans was standing.
Viewers noticed that he made an ‘OK’ symbol with his right hand in front of his right leg - a symbol which has been associated with white supremacy.
The gesture, which sees the thumb and forefinger touched in a circle and other fingers outstretched, was designated a hate symbol by the New York-based Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in 2019.
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However, it’s also linked to a harmless prank, the ‘gotcha’ or ‘circle game', where someone flashes an upside-down OK sign below their waist and punches in the shoulder anyone who looks at it.
The Fare network, which is a long-time partner of FIFA and European football body Uefa to monitor racist and discriminatory chants, flags, and symbols at international games, said in a statement: “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."
Fare demanded: “Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup,” describing the gesture as ‘neo-nazi’.
After outcry on social media, FIFA was urged to investigate, and BBC Sport was told by sources that the sports governing body was ‘looking for answers from the Australian VAR official’.
On Monday (15 June), an update was issued by FIFA, and Evans released a statement explaining that the movement ‘was an involuntary, subconscious twitch’.
Shaun Evans’ statement
The VAR Official said in a statement provided to Tyla: “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. Images taken later during the match showed that I repeated this movement many times while holding a pen between my fingers.”
He added: “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.
“Officiating at the World Cup is the biggest honour of my career, and I look forward to supporting my colleagues for the rest of the tournament.”
Statements from FIFA and the PFRA
FIFA's Disciplinary Committee has also released a statement, confirming they have investigated the matter and cleared the referee.
It reads: “FIFA's independent Disciplinary Committee can confirm that, after looking into the matter involving support video assistant referee Shaun Evans, it has found no evidence of breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The Disciplinary Committee has also taken note of Mr Evans' statement.”
While the Professional Football Referees Association Inc (PFRA) also ‘welcomes the outcome of FIFA's review of the allegations made against Shaun Evans’.
The organisation said: “Shaun has consistently represented the values expected of football officials: professionalism, respect, and integrity. The PFRA celebrates diversity across football and unequivocally rejects racism, discrimination and extremist ideology in all forms.
“We acknowledge Shaun’s public statement, in which he addressed the matter directly, and we recognise the importance of fairness, context and due process when concerns are raised.
“The PFRA acknowledges the outcome of FIFA’s review and supports Shaun as a member of the Australian refereeing community. The PFRA will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Madison Burgess