Shaun Evans, an Australian video review official at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was the subject of controversy after being seen making a hand gesture during the broadcast of Germany’s opening match against Curaçao on Sunday. The gesture, an “OK” sign made with his right hand in front of his right leg, drew scrutiny for its perceived resemblance to a white supremacist symbol.

The incident occurred prior to kickoff in Houston, where the match was played. Although Evans was working remotely from the World Cup broadcast centre in Dallas as an assistant to the video assistant referee, the gesture appeared on the official broadcast feed when the coverage briefly cut to the video review team.

FIFA’s discrimination monitor, the Fare network, called for Evans to be removed from the tournament, describing the gesture as “neo-Nazi” and equating it with the upside-down “OK” hand sign used in far-right circles globally. Fare highlighted that the symbol was designated as a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League in 2019 and has been associated with white supremacist groups. The statement referenced the gesture’s controversial history, including its appearance during the court hearing of the Christchurch mosque shooter and noted that its use often generates debate over intent and context.

In response, a FIFA disciplinary committee investigated the incident and concluded that Evans did not breach the sport’s code of conduct. Evans himself explained that the hand movement resulted from an involuntary twitch, not a deliberate signal. The Professional World Referees Association and Football Australia have not publicly commented on the matter.

The dual interpretations of the gesture stem in part from its varied usage. Some view it as a hate symbol linked to far-right groups, while others see it as part of a longstanding children’s game known as the “circle game,” where an upside-down “OK” sign is held below the waist as a prank. Experts caution that determining the meaning of the symbol depends heavily on context.

Evans, who was officiating at his second consecutive World Cup and undertaking his first match at this edition, remains on duty following FIFA’s review. The organization has emphasized the importance of addressing discrimination but has maintained that no intentional violation occurred in this case.