World Cup Referee Accused of White Power Gesture During Match Broadcast

A World Cup referee has been accused of making a hand gesture that has been interpreted as a “White power” symbol. The incident reportedly occurred during Germany’s 7-1 victory over Curaçao on Sunday, when match coverage cut to the video referee studio.

The referee in question is the Australian official Shaun Evans, who regularly officiates in the Australian A-League.

Gesture’s Double Meaning

The gesture, where the thumb and index finger touch to form a circle while the other fingers remain outstretched, has historically been understood as the “OK” sign. However, in recent years, it has been co-opted by some far-right groups. In this context, the three extended fingers are said to represent the letter ‘W’, and the circle formed by the thumb and index finger represents ‘P’, standing for “White Power.”

This interpretation gained prominence after Brenton Tarrant, an Australian white supremacist, used the symbol during a courtroom appearance in 2019 following his arrest for a mass shooting in New Zealand.

Concerns Raised by Anti-Discrimination Group

The anti-discrimination organization Fare, which works to combat inequality in football, released a statement addressing the incident. According to Fare, their experts believe the gesture clearly resembled the “White power” symbol used in global far-right circles.

“Why is a VAR supervisor using this symbol at a global football event at the very moment he knows the cameras are on him?” the statement read. “It can only be that he is intentionally transmitting a far-right neo-nazi symbol.”

Fare also noted that TV directors appeared to have stopped showing the VAR panel to the audience in subsequent matches. They argued that a global television audience should not be exposed to such symbols and that the official should be removed from further participation in the World Cup.

FIFA’s Response

FIFA has acknowledged being aware of the incident but has declined to comment further. The Athletic has also extended the right of reply to the official through FIFA.

Historical Context of the Gesture

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) classifies the symbol as a hate symbol. However, the ADL also advises caution, noting that because of the gesture’s traditional meaning and other unrelated usages, it’s important not to jump to conclusions about the user’s intent.

This has not prevented repercussions in other contexts. In 2018, a U.S. Coast Guard employee accused of making the gesture was removed from duty. In 2019, the Chicago Cubs banned a fan from their stadium for making the gesture during a broadcast. More recently, in July 2023, MLS team D.C. United terminated an athletic trainer’s employment for making what they described as a “discriminatory hand gesture” in a social media post.

The incident raises questions about awareness and intent in the use of symbols within high-profile international events. The ongoing investigation and response from FIFA will be closely watched.

Key facts
| Detail | Information |
| :—– | :———- |
| Official | Shaun Evans (Australian referee) |
| Event | FIFA World Cup match: Germany vs. Curaçao |
| Allegation | Making a “White power” hand gesture |
| Source of Concern | Anti-discrimination group Fare, ADL |
| FIFA’s Stance | Aware of the incident, declined to comment |

This development is significant for football fans as it brings attention to issues of discrimination and the potential for symbols to be misinterpreted or intentionally used to convey harmful messages within the global sport. The World Cup, as a platform with a massive international audience, is particularly sensitive to such controversies.

Source: The Athletic Football – https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7361130/2026/06/14/shaun-evans-white-power-fifa-world-cup/

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