Dallas, June 16: FIFA has cleared Australian video review official Shaun Evans of any wrongdoing after an independent disciplinary review examined a hand gesture that sparked controversy during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The incident occurred during Germany's emphatic 7-1 victory over CuraÇao when television cameras briefly focused on the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team based at FIFA's World Cup broadcast centre in Dallas.
During the broadcast introduction, Evans appeared to make an "OK" hand gesture, prompting concerns from anti-discrimination observers and leading to calls for his removal from the tournament.
After reviewing the footage and Evans' explanation, FIFA's independent disciplinary committee concluded that there was no evidence of
a violation of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
FIFA Finds No Breach of Rules
In a statement issued after the review, FIFA confirmed that the committee had thoroughly assessed the incident and Evans' account before reaching its decision.
"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 governing body said.
The committee also noted Evans' explanation that the gesture was unintentional and carried no ideological or political meaning.
Evans maintained that he was unaware of making the gesture during the live broadcast.
"I did not intentionally make a hand gesture or symbol to communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind," Evans said.
"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. "
FIFA added that footage from later in the match appeared to show Evans making a similar movement while holding a pen, a detail considered during the review process.
Discrimination Watchdogs Raised Concerns
The controversy emerged after the Fare network, an organization that monitors discrimination and racism in football, argued that the gesture closely resembled a symbol that has been adopted by some far-right extremist groups.
The organization urged FIFA to remove Evans from the World Cup and questioned why the gesture appeared at the exact moment cameras focused on the VAR officials.
According to Fare, experts consulted by the group believed the sign resembled an upside-down "OK" symbol that has been used in white supremacist and far-right circles in recent years.
The group described the incident as serious enough to warrant Evans' exclusion from the remainder of the tournament.
The Debate Around the "OK" Symbol
The controversy reflects a broader debate surrounding the "OK" hand sign, which has multiple meanings depending on context.
In 2019, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) added the symbol to its hate-symbol database after it began appearing in extremist online communities. However, the ADL has consistently emphasized that the gesture remains widely used in everyday situations and should not automatically be interpreted as a hate symbol without considering context and intent.
The sign gained international attention following the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand, when the convicted gunman displayed the gesture during a court appearance.
Since then, authorities and organizations have generally assessed its use on a case-by-case basis.
Evans Remains at the Tournament
Evans, who is working at his second FIFA World Cup, insisted the controversy does not reflect his character or values. "The coverage following this incident simply does not reflect who I am," he said.
"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. "
The Australian official added that officiating at the World Cup remains the greatest honour of his career and said he looks forward to continuing his duties during the tournament.
Australian Referees Association Backs Official
Australia's Professional Football Referees Association (PFRA) welcomed FIFA's decision and strongly defended Evans' reputation.
The association highlighted his more than a decade of experience officiating in Australia's top-flight competition and praised his professionalism and integrity.
"The PFRA celebrates diversity across football and unequivocally rejects racism, discrimination and extremist ideology in all forms," the organization said.
The group also stressed the importance of fairness, context and due process when evaluating allegations of misconduct.
With FIFA's disciplinary committee finding no breach of regulations, Evans remains eligible to continue serving as part of the World Cup's video review team for the remainder of the tournament.
