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Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has cleared World Cup referee Shaun Evans of any wrongdoing after he was accused of making a hand gesture linked by some online users to white supremacist symbolism during a televised match.
The Australian official, who was serving as a support video assistant referee during Germany’s game against Curaçao on Sunday, was seen placing his index finger and thumb together with his right hand to form a circle while on camera.
The gesture sparked controversy on social media, prompting FIFA to open an investigation into the incident.
In a statement on Monday, FIFA’s disciplinary committee said its review found no violation of its disciplinary code by Evans.
“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,” the governing body said in a statement.
Evans also maintained that the action was unintentional, saying he did not intend to communicate any message or affiliation through the gesture.
He explained that the movement occurred without conscious intent, describing it as an involuntary action he was not aware of at the time.
Evans added that he understood how the gesture could be misinterpreted but insisted it was neither deliberate nor symbolic in nature.
“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 said.
“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.
“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,”he added.
