News Focus
- Australian VAR official Shaun Evans made an upside-down ‘OK’ sign on camera before the Germany versus Curacao match
- The sign features in a harmless game, but far-right groups also use it to show white power
- The Fare network, which monitors discrimination, has demanded that FIFA send Evans home immediately
- FIFA is now investigating the incident and has asked the official to explain his actions
- Broadcast procedures changed after the incident; VAR teams now face their screens instead of the cameras
An Australian video assistant referee has caused serious trouble at the World Cup. Shaun Evans showed an upside-down “OK” sign on live television. This happened before the match between Germany and Curacao in Dallas.
Children play a harmless game called the “circle game” using this hand sign. However, far-right extremist groups also use the same gesture to show white power. The Anti-Defamation League in New York added it to their list of hate symbols in 2019.
The Fare network fights against inequality in football. They have asked FIFA to remove Evans from the tournament at once. Their experts say the gesture looked exactly like the white power sign used by neo-Nazi groups. They believe Evans should not work at the World Cup again.
FIFA knows about the incident and wants answers. Officials are asking Evans why he made the sign. Before this match, television cameras showed VAR teams standing and looking towards the lens. After the incident, the broadcasts changed. Now the cameras show the officials working at their screens.
Sky Sports News has contacted FIFA for a comment. Football Australia and the Professional Football Referees Association have also received questions about the matter.