FIFA finds no code breach by World Cup VAR official Shaun Evans

FIFA has cleared Australian match official Shaun Evans after a World Cup discrimination monitor sought his removal over a hand gesture shown on the tournament broadcast. The decision keeps Evans eligible for officiating duties after football’s governing body said its disciplinary panel found no code violation.

FIFA told Al Jazeera in an emailed statement on Monday that its independent Disciplinary Committee had reviewed the matter involving Evans, who was serving as a support video assistant referee. The committee found “no evidence” that Evans breached the FIFA Disciplinary Code, according to FIFA.

The review followed concern over images from the official broadcast before Germany’s opening match against Curacao on Sunday. Al Jazeera and The Associated Press reported that the broadcast cut to the team of video review officials, where Evans appeared to make an “OK” sign with his right hand in front of his right leg.

A FIFA discrimination monitor at the World Cup had called for Evans to be removed from the tournament, according to Al Jazeera and The Associated Press. The complaint centered on the appearance of the gesture, which the monitor said resembled a white supremacist hand sign.

The match was played in Houston, while the video officials were working from the World Cup broadcast center in Dallas, according to the reports. Evans’ role was in the video review operation rather than on the field.

Evans denies sending a message

Evans said before FIFA announced its decision that he had not made the gesture on purpose. He said he did not intend to communicate “a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind.”

In his statement, Evans described the movement as an involuntary and subconscious twitch. He said he was not aware he had done it at the time.

Evans also said images from later in the match showed him repeating the same movement while holding a pen between his fingers. He said the attention given to the incident did not reflect who he is.

Evans said he understood how the gesture had been interpreted and regretted that reaction. He denied knowingly or deliberately making the hand symbol suggested by critics.

FIFA says review is closed

FIFA’s statement did not announce any sanction or further action against Evans. The governing body said only that its disciplinary committee had found no evidence of a breach after looking into the matter.

The case drew attention because World Cup officiating teams are part of the tournament’s global broadcast, including officials assigned to video review roles away from the stadium. FIFA’s decision means the complaint did not meet the threshold for discipline under its code, according to the governing body’s statement.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.