It's just day 4 of FIFA World Cup, and Shaun Evans' VAR gesture has already sparked White Power conspiracy theories - here’s what it means

It has been just 4 days into the FIFA World Cup 2026, and the conspiracy theories have already started flowing faster than the goal. What began as a routine pre-match introduction before Germany's opening clash against Curaçao at Houston's NRG Stadium has now snowballed into controversy after viewers spotted a hand gesture during the officials' presentation. As soon as the video surfaced on social media, it sparked a frenzy of speculation, accusations and heated discussions across social media around the white power symbol gesture. But amid the buzz, let's find out what really happened and who Australian video assistant referee Shaun Evans is at the centre of online backlash.


A brief footage from the match broadcast has now gone viral, as it shows the camera introducing the officiating crew ahead of kick-off.

After highlighting the three on-field referees, the broadcast shifted focus to the video review team, including video referee Hamza El Fario, assistant video referee Nicolas Gallo and VAR official Shaun Evans.

Meanwhile, as the camera lingered on the group, Evans appeared to form a circle with his thumb and index finger while extending his remaining fingers. He held the gesture for several seconds, and wearing a faint smile, he later lowered his hand and returned to a neutral posture.

The moment may have flown under the radar during the live broadcast, but social media detectives were quick to clock it. Before long, clips of the gesture were everywhere, with users claiming it looked like an upside-down "OK" sign.


On the other hand, the internet promptly did what it does the best: zoom in, speculate wildly and turn a split-second moment into the World Cup's latest viral controversy.

The controversy gained extra traction because the gesture has complicated history online. Back in 2019, the Anti-Defamation League added the "OK" hand sign to its Hate on Display database, noting that it has, in some contexts, been used as a symbol linked with the white supremacist groups.

As for Shaun Evans, he is far from a newcomer to the game. The Australian official has been blowing the whistle since 2004 and has built a lengthy resume along the way, overseeing more than 160 A-League Men's matches.

He has also picked up several accolades during his career, including the FFV Referee of the Year award in 2010. But right now, football fans online seem less interested in his CV and more focused on that split-second gesture that has the internet talking.

As soon as the video surfaced online, it quickly sparked a debate. One user on X (formerly called Twitter) wrote, "FIFA won't tolerate the Australian referee Sean Evans, even if he didn't mean anything by it. The referee made a stupid, unnecessary move 👌, but some say it resembles a symbol linked to white supremacy."


One commented on the post saying, "FFS, this is an Australian childhood game. If you look at the circle, you get a punch in the arm."

While one said, "I know that now... But he should have been smart and not done that gesture that is interpreted differently, especially since he is a professional referee and in a worldwide tournament."

"What if he thought that's a simple 'Ok?' sign for the cameras to switch back to the match? Not everyone knows that sign. I wouldn't have known it represented that until now. To most people, that sign still meant "OK", another added.

"There are infinite ways to explain that gesture, but at the end of the day he was being stupid when he should be professional.”

“I bet most people aren't aware of the hijacking of that gesture by white supremacists in the US. The vast majority would recognise it as 'OK',” one added.

But is it a white power symbol gesture?

According to NPR, the hand sign, created by joining the thumb and index finger into a circle while keeping the remaining fingers extended, first gained attention as an internet prank on 4chan before later being embraced by some far-right groups, according to the Anti-Defamation League.


As a result, the gesture has become controversial in certain contexts and has previously led to disciplinary action, including the dismissal of an MLS trainer in 2023.

The symbol has also surfaced in football-related controversies. Most recently, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a video review official came under scrutiny after viewers claimed he appeared to make the gesture during a live broadcast, sparking debate and widespread discussion online.