Australian referee Shaun Evans has been accused of doing a “white power” gesture during the World Cup broadcast before Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao on Monday (AEST).
The broadcast cut to Evans alongside two colleagues in the video assistant referees (VAR) booth, where he could be seen making an upside-down OK sign against his thigh.
The gesture is usually used to show approval but has increasingly been used by those on the far-right.
Evans has not yet commented publicly on the allegations.
Screen captures of Evans doing the sign are circulating on social media, where some users are claiming he is doing the white power gesture, while others say Evans’ symbol is part of a game in which a person loses if they look inside the circle.
A FIFA spokesperson told the Athletic the organisation was aware of the incident but declined to comment further.
