FIFA's independent Disciplinary Committee has cleared Australian video assistant referee official Shaun Evans of any wrongdoing following allegations that he made a racist hand gesture before the FIFA World Cup group-stage match between Germany and Curacao on Sunday. The governing body said it found 'no evidence' of a breach of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

What Triggered the Controversy

During the pre-match broadcast, Evans was captured on camera making an upside-down 'OK' gesture while working with the video review team. The sign has a dual and contested history: it originated as a playful prank tied to the so-called 'Circle Game' — popularised in part by the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle — but was co-opted by far-right groups beginning around 2017. By 2019, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) had added it to its official list of hate symbols, which is why its appearance in a high-profile World Cup broadcast drew immediate scrutiny.

Evans Calls It an Involuntary Reflex

The 38-year-old Australian official, who has been on FIFA's referee list since 2017 and also officiated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, issued a detailed personal statement denying any deliberate intent.

'I would like to clarify that I did not intentionally make a hand gesture or symbol to communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind,' Evans said. 'The only explanation I can offer is that the movement was an involuntary, subconscious twitch and I was unaware I had done it at the time. Images taken later during the match showed that I repeated this movement many times while holding a pen between my fingers.'

Evans added: 'The coverage following this incident simply does not reflect who I am. Of course, I understand how the gesture has been interpreted and I regret this; however, I want to be very clear and categorically say that I did not knowingly or deliberately make the hand symbol suggested. Officiating at the World Cup is the biggest honour of my career and I look forward to supporting my colleagues for the rest of the tournament.'

FIFA's Ruling and Official Statement

After conducting its investigation, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee concluded there was no disciplinary case to answer. 'FIFA's independent Disciplinary Committee can confirm that, after looking into the matter involving support video assistant referee Shaun Evans, it has found no evidence of breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The Disciplinary Committee has also taken note of Mr Evans' statement,' the body said in its official release.

Notably, the committee specifically acknowledged Evans' own account — suggesting his explanation of an involuntary reflex was a factor in the outcome.

Context and What Comes Next

The episode underscores the heightened sensitivity around symbolic gestures at major sporting events, where broadcast coverage reaches a global audience of hundreds of millions. The dual meaning of the upside-down OK sign remains a live debate: civil liberties advocates caution against over-reading ambiguous gestures, while anti-racism groups argue that the symbol's documented far-right use warrants vigilance. Evans, now cleared, is expected to continue his officiating duties for the remainder of the tournament.