FIFA makes decision regarding Shaun Evans after referee is accused of white supremacist behavior
Shaun Evans will not face any disciplinary action for making the ‘gesture’ before Germany’s game against Curacao.
FIFA has confirmed that Australian video assistant referee Shaun Evans will not be disciplined after being accused of making a white supremacist gesture. The governing body said there was no evidence of a breach by the 38-year-old man, who denied the signs were any message or symbol conveying “any kind” of affiliation.
The incident in question occurred as cameras panned to officials in the VAR room before Germany’s 7-1 win over Minnows Curacao. Mr Evans appeared to make an upside-down ‘OK’ sign with his finger, but the Melbourne-born official denied suggestions he did so on purpose.
After the incident was revealed, there was a lot of speculation on social media, with some highlighting an underlying flirtatious nature. Some point out that the New York-based Anti-Defamation League (ADL) added the gesture to its list of hate symbols in 2019 after far-right supporters began showing it.
“I want to be clear that I did not intentionally create any hand gestures or symbols to convey any kind of message, affiliation, game, or belief,” Evans said in a statement.
“The only explanation I can offer is that the movement was an involuntary and subconscious spasm, and at the time I was not aware that I had done it. Images taken later during the match showed that I was repeating this movement over and over again with the pen between my fingers.”
“The press coverage following this incident does not reflect who I am in any way. Of course, I understand how this gesture was interpreted and I regret it. However, I would like to say clearly and categorically that I did not intentionally or intentionally suggest the hand symbol.”
“Officing at the World Cup is the greatest honor of my career and I look forward to supporting my colleagues in the remaining tournaments.”
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The FIFA Disciplinary Committee took note of the statements made by Evans, who has been a FIFA international referee for nine years, and concluded the investigation, finding no evidence of any violation by him.
Evans has been named one of four designated video assistant referees by the AFC (Asian Football Confederation), while George Lakridis and James Lindsay have been named referees in the federation.
Shaun Evans poses for an official FIFA portrait before the tournament. (Image: Carmen Mandato – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Germany won with Kai Havertz scoring twice, but it was somewhat overshadowed by the pre-match controversy in the VAR room. (Image: Getty Images)
Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant created the symbol when he appeared in court after being arrested for killing 50 people in the 2019 shootings at two mosques in New Zealand.
Months later, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) announced that the OK symbol had become a “popular trolling tactic” by “right-leaning individuals.”
The gesture became mainstream in the 2000s after the TV comedy “Malcolm in the Middle” streamed it into homes around the world. This is associated with a playground game in which a person makes a symbol below the waist and anyone who looks at it is beaten.
The BBC added the gesture to its list of hate symbols in 2019, and five years later, at the Olympics, a man who appeared to have made the gesture during the women’s skateboarding final was decertified.
