FIFA Clears VAR Official Shaun Evans After Hand Gesture Investigation

FIFA Clears VAR Official After Investigation into Hand Gesture

FIFA concluded its investigation into a hand gesture made by video assistant referee Shaun Evans during a World Cup broadcast, finding no evidence of a disciplinary breach. The incident occurred before Germany's 7-1 victory over Curacao on June 15.

During the pre-match broadcast, cameras showed Evans in the video assistant referees' booth forming an upside-down 'OK' sign with his right hand against his thigh. The gesture was broadcast on FIFA's world feed.

Prior to this incident, FIFA had been showing VAR officials on camera posing before matches; this practice was changed after the game, with officials subsequently shown already facing their monitors.

The upside-down 'OK' sign has multiple meanings. It is used as a harmless signal in the "circle game" popularized by the television show "Malcolm in the Middle."

The Anti-Defamation League designated the gesture as a hate symbol in 2019, noting that context is key to interpretation. The gesture was appropriated as a white supremacy symbol, originating as a hoax on the online message board 4chan. It gained global attention when the Christchurch mosque shooter made the gesture during a court appearance in March 2019.

FIFA's independent Disciplinary Committee investigated the matter. In response, Evans stated that he did not intentionally make the gesture, describing it as "an involuntary, subconscious twitch" and stating he was unaware of making it at the time. He noted that images taken later during the match showed he repeated the movement while holding a pen.

Evans denied "intentionally" attempting to "communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind" and expressed regret over the interpretation.

The Fare network, FIFA's discrimination monitor, called for Evans to be removed from the tournament, stating the gesture "clearly resembles an upside down 'OK' hand symbol used as a 'white power' symbol in global far-right circles."

FIFA announced on June 24 that it found "no evidence of breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code" and cleared Evans of any misconduct.

Evans remains available for selection for the remainder of the tournament.