Racism monitor urges Fifa to remove World Cup official over ‘white supremacy’ gesture

Live updates

1. 5d ago

   FIFA racism monitor demands Evans' removal over disputed hand gesture

   FIFA’s racism monitor has renewed pressure on the governing body to remove VAR analyst Shaun Evans after his hand gesture during the Germany vs. Curaçao match was linked to white supremacist symbolism. FIFA’s disciplinary panel previously ruled no breach occurred, citing Evans’ claim of an involuntary twitch. The incident has reignited debate over hate symbols in sports broadcasts, with Evans confirmed for the 2026 World Cup roster. No further disciplinary action has been taken.

   What's confirmed:

   • A FIFA committee concluded that video review official Shaun Evans did not breach the sport’s disciplinary code regarding his hand gesture during the Germany vs. Curaçao broadcast.
   • Evans has claimed the gesture was caused by an involuntary twitch, a defense FIFA’s disciplinary panel accepted.
   • Fare Network, FIFA’s longtime anti-discrimination partner, states the ‘OK’ sign used by Evans is recognized as a white power symbol in global far-right circles.
   • Evans remains one of 30 FIFA-selected video review analysts confirmed for the 2026 World Cup.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • No further disciplinary action has been announced against Evans following the gesture incident.
   confidence 95%
2. 5d ago

   FIFA racism monitor demands VAR official Shaun Evans' removal over 'white supremacy' hand gesture

   FIFA’s racism monitor has renewed calls for the dismissal of VAR analyst Shaun Evans after his disputed hand gesture during the Germany vs. Curaçao broadcast, which some linked to white supremacist symbolism. FIFA’s disciplinary panel previously ruled no breach occurred, citing Evans’ claim of an involuntary twitch. The incident has intensified scrutiny over hate symbols in sports broadcasts, with Evans confirmed as one of 30 FIFA-selected video review analysts for the 2026 World Cup. No further disciplinary action has been announced.

   What's confirmed:

   • Shaun Evans is one of 30 video review analysts chosen by FIFA to work at the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
   • FIFA’s disciplinary committee previously found no breach in Evans’ conduct, accepting his explanation of an involuntary twitch during the Germany vs. Curaçao broadcast.
   • The hand gesture in question has been widely debated as resembling a white supremacist symbol, reigniting concerns over hate imagery in sports broadcasts.
   • Evans works at the World Cup broadcast center in Dallas, not Houston, where the Germany vs. Curaçao match was played.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Iran’s World Cup preparations have been disrupted by U.S.-Iran tensions, with reports of the team relocating training to Mexico (source: Iranian coach Amir Ghalenoei, per Irish Examiner).
   confidence 95%
3. 5d ago

   FIFA clears VAR official after 'white supremacy' gesture controversy

   FIFA’s discrimination monitor has called for the removal of VAR official Shaun Evans over a hand gesture resembling a white supremacist symbol during the Germany vs. Curaçao broadcast. FIFA’s disciplinary committee found no breach, citing Evans’ claim of an involuntary twitch. The incident has reignited debate over hate symbols in sports broadcasts. Evans works at the World Cup broadcast center in Dallas, not Houston where the match was played.

   What's confirmed:

   • FIFA’s disciplinary committee concluded that VAR official Shaun Evans did not breach the sport’s disciplinary code after his hand gesture resembling a white supremacist symbol.
   • Evans, an Australian, stated the gesture was caused by an involuntary twitch, according to FIFA’s findings.
   • The Anti-Defamation League designated the ‘OK’ hand gesture—thumb and forefinger forming a circle with other fingers extended—as a hate symbol in 2019.
   • The incident occurred during the pre-game broadcast of Germany’s match against Curaçao, where the VAR team was shown on screen.
   • Video review officials operate from the World Cup broadcast center in Dallas, not the host city where matches are played.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • FIFA’s discrimination monitor at the World Cup has called for Evans’ removal, though no action has been taken.
   confidence 92%
4. 6d ago

   FIFA clears VAR official after 'white supremacy' gesture controversy

   FIFA’s discrimination monitor demanded the removal of VAR official Shaun Evans over a hand gesture resembling a white supremacist symbol during the Germany vs. Curaçao broadcast. Evans, an Australian, claimed the gesture was involuntary. FIFA found no evidence of misconduct and cleared him. The incident sparked global debate over hate symbols in sports broadcasts.

   What's confirmed:

   • FIFA’s discrimination monitor at the World Cup called for the removal of VAR official Shaun Evans after he made a hand gesture resembling a white supremacist sign during the Germany vs. Curaçao broadcast on Sunday, June 15, 2026.
   • The gesture involved Evans forming an 'OK' symbol with his thumb and forefinger touching in a circle while other fingers were extended, which the Anti-Defamation League designated as a hate symbol in 2019.
   • Evans, based in Dallas at the World Cup broadcast center, stated the movement was an 'involuntary, subconscious twitch' and not intentional.
   • FIFA conducted an investigation and found 'no evidence' that Evans had breached its ethics code, clearing him of any wrongdoing.
   • The incident occurred during a pre-game broadcast segment featuring VAR officials, not during active match play.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • FIFA may face further scrutiny over its handling of the incident, though no official statements suggest disciplinary action beyond the clearance.
   confidence 97%