Australian VAR official Shaun Evans appeared on the broadcast of Germany’s opening World Cup match against Curacao making an upside‑down “OK” sign in front of his leg. The gesture, while used in a harmless “circle game,” has been listed by the ADL as a white‑supremacist symbol since 2019. The incident sparked immediate outcry. The clip quickly circulated on social media.

FIFA confirmed it is reviewing the footage and has asked Evans for an explanation, but has not yet announced disciplinary action. In earlier games VAR teams faced the camera when the feed cut to the Dallas hub; subsequent broadcasts showed officials turned toward their screens, a change FIFA has not clarified. Critics say the shift undermines transparency.

The Fare network, which monitors inequality and discrimination in football, demanded Evans be sent home, calling the hand sign a “neo‑Nazi” symbol and urging FIFA to remove him from the tournament. Australian bodies including the Professional Football Referees Association and Football Australia were contacted for comment but have not responded. It also raises questions about future VAR oversight.