FIFA said it will investigate a VAR referee who appeared to make an upside-down ‘OK’ gesture before the Germany-Curacao match
FIFA is reportedly looking into a US World Cup official who appeared to make an ‘OK’ hand gesture before Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao, reviving one of the internet’s more absurd culture-war panics.
Australian referee Shaun Evans, who was working as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) supervisor for Sunday’s match, appeared on the official broadcast before kick-off as the video review team was shown, looking into the camera and making an upside-down OK sign.
The anti-discrimination group Fare, a long-time FIFA partner, called for Evans to be removed from the tournament, saying the gesture “clearly resembles” a symbol used as a white-power sign in far-right circles.
“Why is a VAR supervisor using this symbol at a global football event at the very moment he knows the cameras are on him?” Fare said. The group described the gesture as “neo-Nazi” and said Evans should have no further role at the World Cup.
🚨 FIFA are investigating assistant VAR Shaun Evans after a hand gesture he made before Germany vs Curaçao was interpreted by some as having links to far-right extremist groups.
How times are changing… years ago, if you saw someone making that sign, it usually meant you were… pic.twitter.com/N8hVzGHMYD
— Football Away Days Club (@AwayDaysClub_) June 15, 2026
FIFA has said it is investigating the incident and is seeking an explanation from Evans.
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