Thumb and index finger form circle: Gesture lands World Cup referee in trouble

Australian referee Shaun Evans has strongly refuted claims that he made a controversial hand gesture during the World Cup match between Germany and Curaçao. The incident occurred briefly before the match on Sunday in Houston, where Evans was shown in the video referee room with colleagues. A short video sequence captured him forming a circle with his thumb and index finger while extending his other fingers.

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I want to clarify that I did not intentionally use a hand gesture or symbol to convey any message, affiliation, game, or belief.

Speculation arose on social media that Evans might have been signaling a symbol used by far-right groups, often associated with "White Power." However, Evans categorically denied this, stating, "I want to clarify that I did not intentionally use a hand gesture or symbol to convey any message, affiliation, game, or belief." He added, "Of course, I understand how the gesture was interpreted, and I regret it. Nevertheless, I want to state unequivocally and categorically that I did not knowingly or intentionally display the said hand symbol."

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Of course, I understand how the gesture was interpreted, and I regret it. Nevertheless, I want to state unequivocally and categorically that I did not knowingly or intentionally display the said hand symbol.

Evans offered an explanation for the gesture, suggesting it was an "involuntary, subconscious twitch" that he was not aware of making at the time. "The reporting following this incident simply does not reflect who I am," he asserted.

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The reporting following this incident simply does not reflect who I am.

The German team won the match against Curaçao with a score of 7-1. The international football federation, FIFA, has yet to issue a formal response or announce whether the incident will have consequences for Evans. The ambiguity of the gesture is noted, as it is commonly used in many countries as an "Okay" sign, but has also been adopted by some far-right groups in recent years.

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I must state that the movement must have been an involuntary, subconscious twitch, which I was not even aware of performing at that moment.