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World Cup VAR official Shaun Evans says gesture was involuntary twitch

sportsJun 16, 202623553

Australian video assistant referee Shaun Evans made an "OK" hand gesture on live television just before Germany's opening World Cup match against Curaçao in Houston. Evans denied making a deliberate white-power signal, telling investigators the motion was an "involuntary, subconscious twitch" and saying he did not intend to communicate any message or affiliation. Anti-racism monitor Fare has urged FIFA to remove Evans from World Cup duties, calling the gesture neo-Nazi, and FIFA has opened an investigation. The incident matters because the "OK" sign has been linked to white supremacist groups and an official's public conduct can prompt removal and undermine tournament credibility.

Andrew Gardiner
@ajgardineresq.bsky.social

Australian #WorldCup referee Shaun Evans flashes a 'White Power' hand signal (below). 👌 What an ambassador for this multicultural nation of ours ... 🙄 Guess that rules him out of Morocco v Haiti on June 25.

335Yesterday
Andrew Gardiner59

I mean, it's *possible* it was something else ... but it probably won't save him.

cwnol51.bsky.social42

They won’t let a Somalian referee into the country because of his nationality but somehow a white supremacist slips in undeterred . FIFA and trump have ruined the spirit of the World Cup , it’s just an advertising platform .

Rick 'n Roll 🎶 🎸 🎶30

What a grubby little man.

Thiel, Musk & Murdoch’s Influence in 🇦🇺🇬🇧 🇺🇸 Politics‼️28

If that was his intent, leave the bastard there. We don’t want him back. And I hope I’m not speaking out of turn when I state that I doubt the people of our nations ancestors would either. The world doesn’t need racism. It needs compassion and peace. ♥️🖤💛 🇦🇺

100% Samfucious - with added ingredients24

I'll never understand this "white power" shit.

masim16

As if the usa hasn't sufficient idiots without aus adding 2 the count

Blon from NS🇨🇦📎15

If it's the circle punch game and he is not aware of Nazi connotation he can simply be uninvited to the world cup for exercising poor judgement and resume ref duties in Aus. If it's a white power symbol he should never ref again anywhere. Either way he should not ref the world cup.

bajonett.bsky.social13

Hey @australia.theguardian.com @6newsau.bsky.social Check this video out. Name him & shame him. Such a disgrace!!!

Lane Hutson Enjoyer11

Has to get fired… Even if you accept his dumb excuse, accidentally flashing a white power symbol to millions while trying to play a dumb frat boy game is still a firable offence

Ildfluer9

Oh. We also have limp-dicked racist losers in Australia? Shocking.

Fred 🇦🇺7

WTF!!! He can fuck right off! He can stay there now.

cassiesmom.bsky.social7

Should rule him out of the world cup

Tony Dauphinee7

He's a fucking racist prick.

OMDolton847

Yeah, it's not that. www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?t...

Jason M Ernst7

He’s all proud of it too.

Louis Winthorp III6

It constantly amazes me how desperate people are to expose their inner core beliefs on a grand stage at the risk of jeopardizing the success of a career attaining elevated world status for the single moment to make terrible choices.

taxedgram.bsky.social6

They’re not sure if he was making a political gesture or playing a children’s game. (They make the ok sign and they get hit on the shoulder). Someone should punch the jerk in the face.

cocktailhour.bsky.social5

pull him in, make him show his socials

Fat Apollo, baby!4

I kicked a kid off stage at my show who did that. Stopped cold and said 'Get that nazi shit outta here"

Lord DraAkus 🇺🇸 🏳️‍🌈 🗽🍷🇺🇦4

😒god you people. The white power signal is up with 3 fingers, to shape a W and a P. This is clearly the Punch Game because he never lifts the sign above his waist. Stop screaming racism when you can't even decipher a child's game.

Ernest Defarge4

Guy needs to be removed immediately

Raindrops_on_Roses4

It's fascinating, because SBS Sports still has a post up from a few hours ago clearly making out it is the punch game.

Mike 🇦🇺3

Hopefully he’ll stay there, he’ll be welcomed with open arms

Ricky Vanilla3

I only saw stills of this before the video and thought there was a good chance it wasn't intended. Now I've seen it properly, he's 100% a piece of shit and can't possibly explain his way out of it.

Leo2

Oh, look another white Nazi identifying himself on camera.....

mrtoads.bsky.social2

How is an overgrown teenager like that (look at that smirk) suitable as a referee for any game? How can you trust such a child to be an arbiter of the rules? Australia looking like the US there; it’s not a good look..

Kittykatval 🇨🇦🍁 💙🦋📎2

I wouldn't give him the benefit of the doubt. None.

Dave Smith2

It's not going to go down well if his 1st booking or sending off is to a black man.

Marterlor2

So, is he fired, in disgrace? Or still has his job

Karen Knight2

So disgusting. What a POS!

RV2

I'm obviously a bit naïve. If not told, I'd have imagined that he was discretely indicating that Mr Evans deemed the person behind the camera was a wanker. Clearly, if as you outline, Andrew, he's a sad individual.

🇬🇱🇩🇰Tickedoff🇺🇦🇨🇺2

Whats wrong with people 😡

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