FIFA clears referee Shaun Evans after white-supremacist gesture allegations at World Cup 2026

FIFA’s independent Disciplinary Committee cleared Australian referee Shaun Evans of breaching the FIFA Disciplinary Code after allegations he made a white-supremacist gesture during World Cup 2026. Evans said the gesture was unintentional and not meant to convey any message, describing it as an involuntary twitch that he repeated while holding a pen. The claim arose around the Germany vs. Curacao opener in Houston, with coverage reviewed by video officials in Dallas; discrimination monitors had earlier urged his removal, but FIFA found no evidence of misconduct.