SportFootballFIFA World CupFIFA have made a decision regarding Shaun Evans after the referee was accused of making a white supremacist gesture22:58, 15 Jun 2026Updated 23:19, 15 Jun 2026FIFA have confirmed that Australian video assistant referee Shaun Evans will not face action after accusations of making white supremacist gesture. The governing body says that there was no evidence of a breach from the 38-year-old who denied any indication that it was a symbol to communicate a message or affiliation "of any kind".‌The incident in question occurred before Germany's 7-1 win over minnows Curacao when the camera panned to the officials within the VAR room. Evans appears to make an upside down 'OK' sign with his fingers, however, the Melbourne-born official has dismissed the suggestion that he did it intentionally.‌After the instance came to light, speculation emerged on social media with some highlighting a potential light-hearted nature. While others raised that the New York-based Anti-Defamation League (ADL) added it to its list of hate symbols in 2019 after far-right supporters began displaying the gesture.‌In a statement, Evans said: "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."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."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."Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!The FIFA Disciplinary Committee concluded their investigation that there was no evidence of a breach by Evans, who has been a FIFA international referee for nine years, with the committee taking note of his statement.‌Evans was named as the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) as one of their four designated video assistant referees while George Lakrindis and James Lindsay were nominated as the federations referees.‌Brenton Tarrant, an Australian white supremacist, made the symbol when he appeared in court following his 2019 arrest for murdering 50 people in a shooting at two mosques in New Zealand.Months later, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said that the OK symbol had become a 'popular trolling tactic' from 'right-leaning individuals'.The gesture hit the mainstream in the 2000's after TV sit-com Malcolm in the Middle streamed it into households across the world. It has been associated with a playground game where a person would make the symbol below their waist and anyone who looks is punched.Article continues belowThe BBC added the gesture to their list of hate symbols in 2019 and five years later at the Olympic Games, a man had his accreditation removed for seemingly making a gesture during the women's skateboarding final.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌FIFAShaun EvansFIFA World CupWorld Cup 2026