FIFA clears referee accused of white supremacist gesture

FIFA has announced it found no evidence that Australian referee Shaun Evans violated its disciplinary code, after he was accused of making a hand gesture associated with white supremacy during a 2026 World Cup match.

"The FIFA Independent Disciplinary Committee can confirm that, following its review of the matter involving video assistant referee Shaun Evans, no evidence of a violation of the FIFA Disciplinary Code was found," the organisation said in a statement emailed to media on Monday.

Evans had previously stated that he had not intended to convey any "message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind" through his gesture.

Swift investigation

FIFA launched the investigation after footage of Evans's gesture spread widely on social media, prompting strong public reactions and responses from various organisations. The organisation's disciplinary committee reviewed the material and concluded there was no basis for disciplinary action against the Australian referee.

Evans remains part of the refereeing staff at the 2026 World Cup, the first tournament to be held with 48 teams.