World Cup official says twitch caused gesture resembling supremacist sign; FIFA says no breach

The pitch is seen in this general view during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. Michael Wyke/AP Photo/Michael Wyke GENEVA (AP) — A World Cup video review official said his hand gesture resembling a white supremacist sign was caused by an involuntary twitch, and a FIFA committee concluded the Australian didn’t breach the sport’s disciplinary code. FIFA’s discrimination monitor had called for Shaun Evans to be removed from the tournament. Article continues below this ad Evans worked Germany’s opening 7-1 win over Curaçao on Sunday as an assistant to the video assistant referee, based at the World Cup broadcast center in Dallas. When the official broadcast cut before the game to show the video review officials, Evans made an “OK” symbol with his right hand in front of his right leg. “I did not intentionally make a hand gesture or symbol to communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind,” Evans said in a statement released Monday by FIFA. “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
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