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VAR official says hand gesture was 'involuntary, subconscious twitch'

VAR official says hand gesture was 'involuntary, subconscious twitch'

Video assistant referee Shaun Evans has denied "intentionally" making a hand gesture "to communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind" and claimed it was a "an involuntary, subconscious twitch" that he was "unaware" of.

June 15, 2026 at 10:29 PM Original source
6 agencies covered this story

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Notable Quotes

"The coverage following this incident simply does not reflect who I am."

— Shaun Evans , Other

"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."

— Shaun Evans , Other

"I did not intentionally make a hand gesture or symbol to communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind."

— Shaun Evans , Other

"The coverage following this incident simply does not reflect who I am."

— Shaun Evans , Other

"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."

— Shaun Evans , Other

"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."

— Shaun Evans , Other

"an involuntary, subconscious twitch"

— Shaun Evans , Other

All Coverage

VAR official says hand gesture was 'involuntary, subconscious twitch'
BBC Newsvia rss 2 quotes 1 person

Video assistant referee Shaun Evans has denied "intentionally" making a hand gesture "to communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind" and claimed it was a "an involuntary, subconscious twitch" that he was "unaware" of.

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World Cup official says twitch caused gesture resembling supremacist sign; FIFA says no breach
Associated Pressvia ai 2 quotes 1 person

Shaun Evans, a FIFA World Cup video review official, claimed his hand gesture resembling a white supremacist symbol was an involuntary twitch. FIFA's disciplinary committee found no evidence of misconduct or violation of its code, allowing Evans to continue his duties.

80%
Racism monitor urges Fifa to remove World Cup official over ‘white supremacy’ gesture
The Guardianvia ai 1 quote 1 person

FIFA's discrimination monitor called for the removal of VAR official Shaun Evans after he made a hand gesture resembling a white supremacist sign during Germany's match against Curaçao. The gesture has been associated with far-right groups since 2017.

80%
ITV Newsvia ai

FIFA is being urged to investigate VAR official Shaun Evans after he made a 'white power' symbol during a World Cup game. The gesture, recognized as a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League, was made before Germany's match against Curaçao.

80%
Fifa seeks explanation over VAR official's hand gesture
Yahoo Sportsvia ai 1 quote 1 person

FIFA is seeking an explanation from Australian VAR official Shaun Evans after he made a controversial hand gesture during the Germany-Curacao World Cup match. The gesture resembles an upside-down 'OK' symbol, associated with white supremacist groups.

80%
World Cup 2026: Calls for World Cup VAR official Shaun Evans to be removed after 'white supremacist sign'
Sky Sportsvia ai 1 quote 1 person

Australian VAR official Shaun Evans made an upside-down 'OK' symbol during Germany's match against Curaçao. The gesture, associated with white supremacist groups, led to calls for his removal from the tournament. FIFA is seeking clarification from Evans.

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