FIFA, Shaun Evans, Germany, Curacao
16 June 2026
FIFA has cleared Australian VAR official Shaun Evans after investigating an upside-down OK-style hand gesture shown before Germany’s 7-1 World Cup win over Curacao. FIFA said there was no evidence of a disciplinary breach or intentional racist message.
Evans said the movement was an involuntary subconscious twitch and denied trying to signal any belief, affiliation or game. He remains available for selection, although FIFA changed VAR broadcast routines after the incident drew heavy online scrutiny.