VAR official denies 'intentional' hand gesture, calls it 'subconscious twitch'

Video assistant referee Shaun Evans has denied intentionally making a hand gesture that drew significant attention and speculation online. The incident occurred before Germany's 7-1 victory over Curacao on Sunday, when FIFA cut to a shot of the VAR team in Dallas.

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an involuntary, subconscious twitch

Evans, an Australian official, was seen making an upside-down 'OK' sign with his right hand. This gesture has dual meanings, one harmless and the other associated with white supremacy, leading to widespread speculation on social media.

Following the incident, FIFA conducted an investigation. The world governing body announced that it found "no evidence of breaches of the Fifa Disciplinary Code." Evans himself issued a statement through FIFA, expressing regret over the interpretation of his gesture.

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I was unaware of it.

"The coverage following this incident simply does not reflect who I am," Evans said. "Of course, I understand how the gesture has been interpreted and I regret this, however I want to be very clear and categorically say that I did not knowingly or deliberately make the hand symbol suggested."

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no evidence of breaches of the Fifa Disciplinary Code.

Evans described the gesture as an "involuntary, subconscious twitch" that he was "unaware" of at the time it occurred. Despite the FIFA investigation clearing him, the incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding gestures and their potential for misinterpretation in the digital age.

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