A World Cup referee is facing allegations after allegedly making a hand gesture associated with white supremacy during a match, sparking widespread controversy online.

On June 15, British newspaper The Telegraph reported that a World Cup official could face scrutiny after being caught on camera making a hand gesture that some believe could carry racist implications. According to the report, an investigation has been initiated to determine whether Australian A-League referee Shaun Evans made a gesture commonly interpreted as a symbol of white supremacy.

Evans was assigned to the VAR booth during the opening Group E match between Germany and Curaçao at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Before kickoff, the broadcast camera introduced the officiating team by showing the VAR room. During the segment, Evans appeared to look toward the camera while making an upside-down version of the “OK” hand gesture.

The Telegraph noted that the incident has drawn comparisons to a similar controversy during the 2024 Summer Olympics, where an official was reportedly disqualified after making a comparable gesture. Traditionally, the “OK” sign formed by touching the thumb and index finger into a circle is widely recognized as meaning “good” or “fine” and is commonly used in emojis and everyday communication.

However, in recent years, the symbol has also been associated with certain far-right extremist groups. According to reports previously cited by the BBC, the gesture was added to a list of hate symbols in 2019 due to increasing use in extremist contexts, though interpretation can depend heavily on intent and circumstance.

The Telegraph has contacted FIFA for comment, and FIFA is expected to review the matter further.

Meanwhile, the match itself ended in a dominant 7–1 victory for Germany. Curaçao, managed by former South Korea head coach Dick Advocaat, had to settle for making history by playing their first-ever World Cup match and scoring their first goal in tournament history.

Sources: Daum