Australia’s VAR supervisor Shaun Evans drew criticism after cameras cut to the video-referee studio during Germany’s 7-1 win over Curaçao and he appeared to make an “OK” hand shape recently associated with a white power symbol; FIFA says it is aware while anti-discrimination campaigners call for removal and tighter broadcast safeguards around VAR introductions.
What happened during Germany vs Curaçao
Shaun Evans, the Australian video assistant referee on duty, was shown on broadcast screens in the VAR studio during Germany’s 7-1 victory over Curaçao in the World Cup. Viewers flagged a hand position—thumb and index finger touching, other fingers extended—that has been used in recent years as an extremist symbol.
The shot prompted immediate online reaction and formal complaints from anti-discrimination groups.
Why the gesture matters
The hand sign has a dual history: a longstanding “OK” gesture and, more recently, appropriation by far-right groups as a white power symbol. That duality makes on-camera use highly sensitive, especially at a global tournament where millions watch. When an official is visibly framed by broadcast teams, their conduct becomes a de facto statement to the audience.
Context from anti-discrimination bodies
An anti-discrimination network specializing in football argued the gesture matched the white power variant and demanded the official be removed from further World Cup duties. Their case rested on timing—camera on the VAR desk—and the expectation that match officials must avoid actions that could transmit extremist imagery to a global audience.
FIFA and governing responses
FIFA has confirmed awareness of the incident. Public bodies face a narrow window to investigate and decide on sanctions while the tournament continues. Any decision will need to balance the gesture’s ambiguous history against the obligation to keep competition free from symbols that could normalise extremist ideology.
Precedents and wider fallout
High-profile instances have seen rapid consequences when the symbol was used in public: it featured during a courtroom appearance by an extremist who committed mass murder, and organizations in sport and public service have previously removed or disciplined individuals after on-camera use. Those cases show institutions tending toward swift action to maintain public trust.
What this means for the World Cup broadcast and officiating
Broadcasters and competition organizers are likely to reassess how they present VAR operations on live television. One immediate effect may be fewer close-ups of VAR staff or a delay/blur policy to prevent potential misuse of camera time. For officials, this raises the bar for behaviour in plain view of the global audience.
Next steps and likely outcomes
An internal review is the probable first move: examining footage, interviewing the official, and assessing intent. Depending on findings, outcomes could range from a formal warning to removal from duties. The incident also increases pressure on governing bodies to publish clearer conduct guidelines for match officials and to tighten broadcast protocols around technical areas.
Analyst take
At a tournament where symbolism is amplified, even ambiguous gestures demand decisive institutional response. The ADL’s caution about context is valid, but sporting bodies must act not only on proven intent but on protecting the event’s integrity and inclusivity.
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How FIFA and broadcasters respond will set a precedent for how football handles on-camera behaviour for the remainder of the competition.
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