FIFA are aware of an incident involving a World Cup official who appeared to make a hand gesture associated with white supremacist groups.
Referee Shaun Evans was ‘support VAR’ for Germany’s victory over Curacao when he was shown staring into the camera before kick-off, as has become customary at World Cup matches.
The Australian A-League official appeared to make an upside-down ‘OK’ hand gesture, which can be interpreted as a symbol linked to white supremacy.
The Australian A-League official appeared to make an upside-down ‘OK’ hand gesture, which can be interpreted as a symbol linked to white supremacy
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While the symbol is commonly used to mean ‘OK’ and is also a popular emoji, its use upside down and below the waist has drawn scrutiny.
The Anti-Defamation League said in 2019 that the OK symbol has become a ‘popular trolling tactic’ from ‘right-leaning individuals, who often post photos to social media of themselves posing while making the gesture’.
The gesture is also associated with a playground game in which any individual who looks at the sign below the waist is punched.
FIFA are likely to investigate the context and intent behind the gesture. Daily Mail Sport has contacted FIFA for comment.
