World Cup viewers were left puzzled after a video assistant referee appeared to make a controversial hand gesture during a live broadcast. Australian referee Shaun Evans has now spoken out, insisting the action was not intentional and describing it as an 'involuntary, subconscious twitch.' FIFA has since cleared him of any breach of conduct.

Following the incident that occurred before Germany’s emphatic 7-1 victory over Curacao, FIFA launched a prompt review. The governing body analysed footage from the referees’ operations centre in Dallas and concluded that Evans had not violated any part of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

During the pre-match broadcast, Evans was seen forming an upside-down 'OK' hand sign with his right hand. The image spread rapidly online, sparking debate because the gesture can be viewed both as a harmless joke and as a symbol associated with extremist groups. FIFA’s investigation, however, found no evidence of malicious intent, allowing Evans to continue officiating in the tournament.

Evans firmly denied deliberately making the gesture or trying to communicate any message through it. The 38-year-old explained that the repeated motion was simply a habitual movement. “The coverage following this incident simply does not reflect who I am,” Evans said in a statement. “Of course, I understand how the gesture has been interpreted and I regret that, but I want to make it absolutely clear that I did not knowingly or deliberately make the hand symbol in question.”

He added, “Footage later in the match shows me making the same movement several times while holding a pen between my fingers. Being part of the World Cup officiating team is the greatest honour of my career, and I look forward to continuing to support my colleagues throughout the tournament.”

Before FIFA released its findings, anti-discrimination organisations such as Fare — a group that collaborates with FIFA and UEFA on equality issues — urged the governing body to investigate. Fare stated, “Our experts advise that the gesture used bears a clear resemblance to an inverted 'OK' hand symbol that has been co-opted as a 'white power' sign in far-right circles worldwide.”

The matter gained further attention because the Anti-Defamation League had added the symbol to its hate symbol database in 2019, following its misuse by extremist groups as an online trolling tactic.

With FIFA confirming Evans’ clearance and closing the investigation, the Australian official will continue in his role for the rest of the World Cup. Broadcasts since the incident have shown VAR officials focusing entirely on their screens rather than facing the cameras, a measure expected to help prevent similar controversies during the remainder of the tournament.