FIFA Investigates Referee's Alleged White Supremacist Gesture

WHO:

Deadline - Shaun Evans, an Australian referee

BBC - FIFA, the governing body of football

The New York Times - The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Fare network

WHAT:

BBC - FIFA has made a noticeable change in its approach for pre-match rituals, as officials were shown facing their monitors in subsequent matches rather than looking at the camera.

The New York Times - The Fare network stated that a global television audience should not be subjected to extremist far-right individuals using neo-Nazi symbols as they prepare to watch a match.

NBC News - FIFA’s discrimination monitor had called for Shaun Evans to be removed from the tournament.

NBC News - Evans worked Germany’s opening 7-1 win over Curaçao on Sunday as an assistant to the video assistant referee, based at the World Cup broadcast center in Dallas.

NBC News - The gesture was appropriated a decade ago as a signal for white supremacy that started as a hoax on the far-right online message board 4chan.

NBC News - Evans is among 30 video review analysts selected by FIFA to work at this year’s World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

NBC News - Australia’s Professional Football Referees Association said it welcomed the outcome of FIFA’s review.

BBC - FIFA has been told by sources that it is looking for answers from Shaun Evans regarding the hand gesture.

The New York Times - The Fare network stated, “A global television audience should not be subjected to extremist far right individuals using neo-Nazi symbols as they prepare to watch a match.”

The New York Times - Following the incident, TV directors have stopped introducing the VAR panel to the TV audience in subsequent matches.

The New York Times - The gesture has been linked to a notorious incident involving Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant, who made the symbol during a courtroom appearance after a mass shooting in New Zealand in 2019.

The New York Times - The gesture has historically been perceived as meaning "OK" but has been used to symbolize "White power."

BBC - FIFA has made a noticeable change in its approach for pre-match rituals, as officials were shown facing their monitors in subsequent matches rather than looking at the camera.

The New York Times - The Fare network stated, “Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup,” regarding the incident involving Shaun Evans.

The New York Times - FIFA has concluded that Evans’ gesture did not constitute a breach of its disciplinary code after an investigation.

BBC - FIFA has changed its approach for pre-match rituals, no longer showing VAR officials looking at the camera during subsequent matches after the incident.

The New York Times - The Fare network stated that a global television audience should not be subjected to extremist far-right individuals using neo-Nazi symbols as they prepare to watch a match.

The New York Times - The gesture made by Evans has been characterized as a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which warns that caution must be taken regarding the intent behind its use.

BBC - FIFA has been told by sources that it is looking for answers from Shaun Evans regarding the hand gesture.

The New York Times - The Fare network criticized the gesture, stating, “Why is a VAR supervisor using this symbol at a global football event at the very moment he knows the cameras are on him? It can only be that he is intentionally transmitting a far-right neo-Nazi symbol.”

The New York Times - The gesture has historically been perceived as meaning "OK" but has been used to symbolize "White power."

BBC - Shaun Evans stated that the gesture was "an involuntary, subconscious twitch" and he was "unaware" of making the hand movement.

BBC - FIFA found "no evidence of breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code" after investigating the incident involving Evans.

BBC - Evans expressed regret over how the gesture has been interpreted, stating, "The coverage following this incident simply does not reflect who I am."

BBC - Evans is available for selection for the rest of the tournament following the investigation.

BBC - FIFA has been told by sources that it is looking for answers from Shaun Evans regarding the hand gesture.

The New York Times - The Fare network stated, “A global television audience should not be subjected to extremist far right individuals using neo-Nazi symbols as they prepare to watch a match.”

The New York Times - Following the incident, TV directors have stopped introducing the VAR panel to the TV audience in subsequent matches.

Deadline - The gesture made by Evans was captured while he was standing with his arm by his side, creating an "O" figure with his right hand in front of his right leg.

BBC - Following the incident, FIFA has not provided an official response but is actively seeking answers from Evans.

Deadline - Evans was accused of making a white supremacist hand gesture during a broadcast.

BBC - FIFA is seeking an explanation regarding the hand gesture made by Shaun Evans.

The New York Times - The gesture made by Evans is described as an upside-down "OK" sign, which has been associated with white supremacy.

The New York Times - The gesture has historically been perceived as meaning "OK" but has been used to symbolize "White power."

WHERE:

BBC - The VAR team was located in a referee hub in Dallas.

The New York Times - The incident occurred during the broadcast of the Germany vs. Curacao match.

WHEN:

BBC - The incident occurred during a match on a Sunday night.

The New York Times - The match in question was Germany's 7-1 victory over Curacao.

WHY:

The New York Times - The gesture has been linked to far-right circles and is viewed as a neo-Nazi symbol.

The New York Times - The Fare network criticized the use of the gesture at a global football event, questioning the intent behind it.

HOW:

The New York Times - Evans stated, “The only explanation I can offer is that the movement was an involuntary, subconscious twitch and I was unaware I had done it at the time.”

CNN - Ma Ning, the only Chinese referee at the tournament, has garnered over 210,000 followers on his RedNote account since starting it last month.

CNN - Ma Ning has garnered more than 210,000 followers on his RedNote account since starting it last month.

CNN - Ma Ning, the only Chinese referee at the tournament, has secured sponsorships from major Chinese brands, including Lenovo and Hisense, for his World Cup appearance.

CNN - Ma Ning has garnered more than 210,000 followers on his RedNote account since starting it last month.

CNN - Ma Ning, the only Chinese referee at the tournament, has secured sponsorships from major Chinese brands, including Lenovo and Hisense, for his World Cup appearance.

BBC - FIFA has approached Evans for clarity on the incident.

The New York Times - The gesture was made while Evans was standing with his arm by his side during the broadcast.

FIFA has shifted its approach to pre-match rituals, with officials now facing their monitors instead of looking at the camera during matches. The Fare network has expressed that a global television audience should not be exposed to extremist far-right individuals using neo-Nazi symbols while preparing to watch a match, and FIFA’s discrimination monitor has called for Shaun Evans to be removed from the tournament. Evans, who worked as an assistant to the video assistant referee during Germany’s opening match against Curaçao, is one of 30 video review analysts selected for this year's World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.