FIFA's discrimination monitor at the Women's World Cup has called for the removal of a video assistant referee (VAR) official after he appeared to make a hand gesture resembling a white supremacist symbol.

During the broadcast of Germany's opening match against Curacao on Sunday, Shaun Evans from Australia was seen making an 'OK' sign with his right hand as the VAR team was introduced. The gesture, with thumb and forefinger forming a circle and other fingers extended, has been designated a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) since 2019.

The Fare network, a long-time partner of FIFA and UEFA in monitoring discrimination, described the gesture as 'neo-Nazi' and stated: 'Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup.' Fare questioned why a VAR supervisor would use such a symbol while cameras were on him.

It remains unclear whether Evans was making a political statement or playing a prank known as the 'circle game,' where an upside-down OK sign is flashed below the waist. The gesture was appropriated by far-right groups as a white power symbol a decade ago, originating as a hoax on the 4chan message board.

ADL's Oren Segal previously noted that context is key to interpreting the gesture. FIFA has been asked for comment, as have the Professional Football Referees Association and Football Australia. Evans was one of 30 VAR analysts selected for the tournament.

Source: www.aljazeera.com