FIFA has cleared video assistant referee Shaun Evans after reviewing a controversial hand gesture that appeared during a broadcast before the Germany-Curaçao FIFA World Cup match.

The decision came after images from the VAR hub in Dallas showed the Australian official making an inverted “OK”-style hand gesture, which drew attention on social media and led to debate over its possible meaning.

According to a report by a British broadcaster, FIFA reviewed the matter and found no basis for disciplinary action against Evans.

The incident occurred when global broadcast footage showed the VAR operations centre before the match. Evans was seen on camera with his hand in a position that some social media users interpreted as a symbol linked to white supremacy.

Evans later explained that he was unaware of the gesture at the time and said it was an unintentional and unconscious movement.

FIFA accepted the explanation after its review and cleared the official of wrongdoing.

The case gained attention because match officials and broadcast visuals are closely scrutinized during major tournaments, especially when incidents are widely discussed online.

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