FIFA demands explanation after VAR officer’s controversial hand signal

Mon Jun 15 2026 18:28:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

FIFA questions VAR official Shaun Evans for an upside‑down OK symbol seen during the Germany‑Curacao match, sparking debate over racial undertones.

During the 7‑1 World Cup win for Germany over Curaçao, VAR official Shaun Evans made a hand gesture that many viewers identified as an upside‑down OK sign. FIFA has now requested an explanation and is investigating the incident. The gesture has two very distinct meanings – one playful, the other recognized by anti‑discrimination groups as a white‑supremacy symbol. Media coverage and social‑media backlash have increased pressure for a clear statement from FIFA, while the officiating team’s on‑camera behaviour has changed in subsequent matches. The organisation is awaiting a response from the Australian VAR official as part of a broader commitment to combat racism in sport.

At 19:30 BST on Sunday, the World Cup match saw Germany dominate Curaçao 7‑1, but the excitement was marred by a brief but intense controversy off the pitch. In the VAR hub, official Shaun Evans shocked viewers by forming his right hand into an upside‑down ‘OK’ sign – a gesture that has become an internationally recognised white‑supremacy symbol in recent years.

FIFA has responded swiftly, requesting a full explanation from Evans and, by extension, from the Australian VAR team. The football governing body has yet to release an official statement but has assured stakeholders that the matter is being investigated thoroughly. Meanwhile, anti‑racism groups and the Fare anti‑discrimination network have urged transparency and accountability, noting that such symbols can create a hostile environment for players, fans and staff.

The dual nature of the gesture

The upside‑down OK sign can appear harmless in casual contexts, but since 2017 it has been adopted by far‑right circles as a coded white‑power signal. Organisations such as the Anti‑Defamation League have highlighted its use in online trolling, while Fare has explicitly classified it as a hate symbol. In the heat of a football match, the off‑armag‑hand movement can be misinterpreted as an insult or threat, even if the official never intended one.

Changing on‑camera behaviour

In the three games following the Germany‑Curaçao match, FIFA altered the on‑camera portrayal of VAR teams, removing the posed shots and instead filming officials focusing on their monitors. Some commentators have suggested this is a response to the backlash and a move to reinforce neutrality in broadcast coverage.

The incident underscores the critical need for sports organisations to scrutinise not just actions but the symbolic language embedded in their public displays. FIFA’s ongoing investigation, coupled with messages from anti‑racism advocates, signals a renewed commitment to zero tolerance for racial or white‑supremacy symbolism in football. The outcome of this inquiry will likely set a precedent for how sports bodies handle similar incidents in the future.