FIFA Clears VAR Official After Upside‑Down ‘OK’ Gesture Sparks Controversy
During the 2026 World Cup match between Germany and Curacao in Dallas, referee Shaun Evans was filmed making what many interpreted as an upside‑down “OK” hand sign. The gesture, often associated with far‑right groups, sparked a storm on social media and raised questions about the neutrality of officials.
In a statement, FIFA confirmed that it had carried out an investigation and found no evidence of a breach of its disciplinary code. Evans, who has officiated the World Cup since 2022, denied any intentional intent, describing the movement as an involuntary, subconscious twitch.
"I regret the interpretation of the gesture and want to be fully clear that I did not knowingly or deliberately make it," Evans wrote. "The footage shows I repeated the movement several times while holding a pen between my fingers, suggesting an involuntary action rather than a message.
The incident brought to light the debate over the origins of the upside‑down “OK” sign. While it was once a harmless meme in American pop culture, the symbol has also been adopted by extremist groups in recent years and was listed as a hate symbol by the Anti‑Defamation League in 2019.
Anti‑discrimination organisations such as Fare and Kick It Out called the gesture a clear link to white‑power symbolism and urged FIFA to take decisive action. FIFA responded that no disciplinary action would be taken against Evans and that he would continue to serve on the referee panel for the rest of the tournament.
The event also led to subtle changes in broadcast coverage. Prior to the controversial match, the VAR team was briefly shown posing for camera shots, but in subsequent games they were seen focusing on their monitors, with no additional camera angles. FIFA has not yet explained this shift.
Despite the cleared status, the raised concerns echo broader discussions about the role of referees under the intense scrutiny of live streaming and highlight the importance of clear communication and cultural awareness on the global stage of the World Cup.
