FIFA has said it will investigate the VAR referee who appeared to show a head down ‘OK’ sign before the match between Germany and Curacao.
FIFA is reportedly looking for a US World Cup official who appeared to give the ‘OK’ sign before Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao, rekindling fears of the internet’s most ridiculous culture war.
Australian referee Shaun Evans, who was working as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for Sunday’s match, appeared on the official announcement before kick-off as the video review team was shown, looking into the camera and writing the OK mark.
Anti-discrimination group Fare, a long-time partner of FIFA, called for Evans to be kicked out of the tournament, citing the gesture. “obviously similar” a symbol used as a white-power symbol in the far-right circles.
“Why does the VAR manager use this marker at a football event in the world when he knows the cameras are on him?” Nauli said. The group described the signs as “neo-Nazi” and said Evans should have no further role in the World Cup.
🚨 FIFA is investigating VAR assistant Shaun Evans after the hand gesture he gave before Germany against Curacao was interpreted by some people as being associated with right-wing extremist groups.
How times change… years ago, if you saw someone making that sign, it usually meant you were… pic.twitter.com/N8hVzGHMYD
– Away Days Club (@AwayDaysClub_) June 15, 2026
FIFA has said it is investigating the incident and seeking an explanation from Evans.
The OK symbol has been used for decades to indicate approval or that everything is OK. The version that Evans appeared to make is also similar to the ‘circle game’, a school prank where one makes a sign below the waist and tries to get others to look at it.
The supposed racist connotation was popularized in 2017 by 4chan users, who launched a trolling campaign to convince left-wing journalists and activists that the common hand gesture was secretly a symbol of white supremacy.
Many media outlets and rights groups, such as the Anti-Defamation League, took the bait, adding the OK sign to their lists of ‘hate’ symbols along with swastika clothing and the Ku Klux Klan.
Since then, people caught using the symbol have frequently been attacked by activist groups, facing accusations of racism and sometimes losing their jobs and being banned from venues. The repeated scandals have fueled public anger at the media and activist groups accused of turning ordinary gestures into racist arguments.
Although FIFA has yet to announce any action against Evans, doing so could bring further backlash from fans already angry with the organization over high ticket prices, expensive stadium relief, and numerous travel issues. Issues at the latest World Cup have also drawn into widespread complaints with FIFA’s history of corruption, the appointment of political organizers, and the growing commercialization of the game.
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