FIFA Investigates VAR Official for Controversial Hand Gesture at World Cup

By Enitan Abdultawab

FIFA is requesting an explanation from Australian video assistant referee (VAR) Shaun Evans after a hand gesture he made before Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao at the 2026 World Cup sparked debate on social media.

The incident happened during FIFA’s pre‑match broadcast segment that introduces match officials and the VAR team to viewers worldwide. When the cameras focused on the VAR hub in Dallas, Evans briefly formed an upside‑down “OK” sign with his right hand while standing beside his colleagues.

The gesture drew immediate attention online because it can be interpreted in different ways. While it is often linked to the “circle game” prank, it has also been associated in recent years with white supremacist groups.

Although FIFA has not yet issued an official statement, reports indicate that the governing body is seeking an explanation from Evans regarding the gesture.

The controversy has also attracted scrutiny from anti‑discrimination organisations.

After the incident, FIFA’s pre‑match presentation of VAR officials appeared to change. During the three matches that followed Germany’s win over Curacao, cameras still showed the VAR hub, but officials were already facing their monitors and no longer posed directly for viewers.

FIFA has not explained the adjustment in broadcast procedure.

Evans, 38, is one of Australia’s most experienced referees. He has been on FIFA’s international list since 2017 and served as a VAR official at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In Australia, he has officiated in the A‑League since 2012 and handled the competition’s Grand Final in 2019.

The outcome of FIFA’s inquiry remains unclear, but the incident has become one of the tournament’s most discussed off‑field controversies.

Vanguard News

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