Fifa’s disciplinary committee has found Shaun Evans, the video assistant referee for the World Cup, innocent of wrongdoing amid accusations that he made a hand gesture associated with white supremacist groups. Following an investigation, the committee determined there was no breach of Fifa’s ethics code, and Evans indicated he was unaware of any gesture.
During a pre-recorded segment in Germany’s 7-1 triumph over Curaçao on Sunday, Evans was seen making an “Fifa’s independent disciplinary committee can confirm that, after looking into the matter involving support video assistant referee Shaun Evans, it has found no evidence of breaches of the Fifa disciplinary code,” sign by bending his thumb and forefinger near his right leg. This gesture was categorized as a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League in 2019.
Online commentators accused Evans of exhibiting a racist symbol, which led the anti-discrimination organization Fare to call for his removal from the tournament. He chose to remain silent until Fifa’s decision was announced.
Fifa’s Findings and Evans’ Explanation
The independent disciplinary committee of Fifa issued a statement affirming that it found no evidence of misconduct on Evans’ part. The committee also noted, “The disciplinary committee has also taken note of Mr Evans’ statement.” In his defense, Evans asserted that he did not intend to convey any message or association.
“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,” Evans stated in a response. “The only explanation I can offer is that the movement was an involuntary, subconscious twitch and I was unaware I had done it at the time. Images taken later during the match showed that I repeated this movement many times while holding a pen between my fingers. “The coverage following this incident simply does not reflect who I am. 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. “Officiating at the World Cup is the biggest honour of my career and I look forward to supporting my colleagues for the rest of the tournament.”
He further commented, “Advice from our experts is that the gesture used clearly resembles an upside down ‘OK’ hand symbol used as a white power symbol in global far-right circles,”
Requests for Suspension
“Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup. Why is a VAR supervisor using this symbol at a global football event at the very moment he knows the cameras are on him?” they questioned. “We note that in the two subsequent games it appears TV directors have stopped introducing the VAR panel to the audience.”
In conclusion, Evans emphasized, “Officiating at the World Cup is the biggest honour of my career and I look forward to supporting my colleagues for the rest of the tournament.”
