FIFA clears VAR Shaun Evans after gesture allegation review

FIFA said on Monday it found “no evidence” that Australian support video assistant referee (VAR) Shaun Evans breached the FIFA Disciplinary Code after he was accused of making a white supremacist hand gesture during a World Cup match.

The allegation followed broadcast footage shown before Germany’s opening game against Curacao on Sunday. The clip appeared to show Evans making an “OK” symbol with his right hand while he was on camera as part of the video review team.

FIFA said its independent Disciplinary Committee reviewed the incident and closed the case, leaving Evans eligible for future appointments at the tournament.

The case drew wider attention after FIFA’s discrimination monitor at the World Cup called for Evans to be removed from his role following the images shown in the official broadcast.

FIFA decision closes case and keeps Evans eligible

In a statement, FIFA said the Disciplinary Committee examined the allegation involving Evans and concluded it found no evidence of any breaches of its disciplinary rules.

FIFA did not indicate any further disciplinary steps. The ruling means Evans can continue to be appointed for upcoming matches as part of the tournament’s video officiating group.

The decision places the matter in FIFA’s disciplinary process rather than match-day management, and it confirms Evans will remain available for assignments under the tournament’s standard appointment procedures.

Evans says gesture was involuntary and unintentional

Evans said the hand movement was not intentional and was not made to “communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind.” He described it as an involuntary, subconscious twitch and said he was unaware he had made the movement at the time.

He added that images taken later in the match showed he repeated the movement many times while holding a pen between his fingers, and he said he regretted how the gesture had been interpreted.

FIFA’s decision means the incident will not affect Evans’ status at the tournament, while the broader focus on discrimination protocols is likely to remain in place as the group stage continues.

FIFA is expected to proceed with officiating appointments under its existing procedures for the remainder of the group phase.