Overview
- A brief shot of VAR staff during the Germany–Curaçao broadcast showed Shaun Evans making an inverted 'OK' hand shape that drew immediate attention and social media sharing on June 14.
- FARE Network, FIFA’s long‑standing anti‑discrimination partner, publicly called the gesture a white‑power or 'neonazi' sign and demanded Evans be removed from the tournament.
- FIFA asked Evans for an explanation, he denied deliberate intent and said the movement was an involuntary tic, and the independent Disciplinary Committee reviewed footage, his statement and internal records.
- On June 16 the committee announced it found no evidence of a breach of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, closed the case, and Evans remains appointed to his World Cup role.
- The episode prompted broadcasters to change how VAR teams are filmed and sharpened scrutiny of on‑camera conduct, with experts noting the inverted 'OK' has both an innocuous history and a 2019 ADL designation as a hate symbol so context and intent are decisive.