A World Cup referee has been accused of making a 'White power' gesture during television coverage of Germany's 7-1 victory over Curacao on Sunday.
It has become customary during this World Cup for TV cameras to provide a shot of the VAR officiating team before matches kick off. Shaun Evans was part of the VAR team that appeared on screen before Germany's World Cup opener at the Houston Stadium in Texas. The Australian briefly made a gesture with his hand that has previously been associated with white supremacy movements.
The gesture, in which the thumb and index finger touch while the other fingers are outstretched, has historically meant 'okay' but has been used by some to symbolise White power.
In 2019, Brenton Tarrant made the symbol in court following his arrest for murdering 50 people in a mosque shooting in New Zealand.
FIFA have told The Athletic they are aware of the incident but refused to offer any further comment while they investigate.
The anti-discrimination network Fare said in a statement: '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. Why is a VAR supervisor using this symbol at a global football event at the very moment he knows the cameras are on him? It can only be that he is intentionally transmitting a far-right neo-nazi symbol.'
'We note that in the two subsequent games it appears TV directors have stopped introducing the VAR panel to the TV audience. A global television audience should not be subjected to extremist far right individuals using neo-Nazi symbols as they prepare to watch a match. Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup.'
More to follow...
