World Cup 2026: FIFA Seeks Explanation Over VAR Official Shaun Evans’ Hand Gesture

Fifa is seeking an explanation after a hand gesture made by video assistant referee Shaun Evans before Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao on Sunday drew scrutiny and speculation. During World Cup broadcasts, Fifa has recently featured match officials in its global world feed coverage before games, first showing the on-field referee and assistants with their names and roles, then cutting to the VAR team at the referee hub in Dallas.

In previous matches, the VAR officials were briefly shown posing for the camera before turning to their monitors, with their names displayed on screen. But on Sunday, when the camera cut to the VAR room, Evans was seen standing with his arm by his side and then making an upside-down “OK” sign with the fingers of his right hand. The gesture has two widely recognized meanings: one harmless, the other associated with white supremacy.

The moment quickly prompted intense discussion on social media. BBC Sport approached Fifa several times for comment, but no official response had been provided at the time of reporting. According to sources cited by BBC Sport, Fifa is looking for answers from the Australian VAR official.

Following the incident, the approach to pre-match VAR presentations appeared to change. In three later matches, the officials shown in the VAR hub were already facing their monitors when the camera arrived. They were no longer shown looking directly at the camera, although their names continued to appear on screen.

The incident has raised questions about the use of broadcast imagery, the interpretation of gestures made by match officials, and the scrutiny surrounding officials during high-profile World Cup coverage. While no conclusion has been announced publicly, the episode has already altered how the VAR team is presented before matches.