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FIFA is seeking an explanation for video assistant referee Shaun Evans’ gesture before Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao on Sunday.
Ahead of matches during the World Cup, FIFA has put a brief spotlight on its officials as part of World Food’s global coverage.
First, the referee and the rest of the team travel to the touchline and are shown a graphic with their names and roles.
The footage then cuts to a shot of the VAR team at the Referee Center in Dallas.
Instead of showing up at work and looking at their monitors, they picked up the camera briefly and their names appeared on the screen.
On Sunday, when the camera cut to the VAR section, Evans was seen standing with his hands at his side – then showing the fingers of his right hand upside down in an ‘OK’ sign.
Such a symbol has two different meanings – one is harmless and the other is associated with the expression of white supremacy.
The incident immediately gained traction on social media.
BBC Sport has reached out to FIFA several times for comment or clarification, but has yet to receive a response.
However, FIFA will seek a response from Australia’s VAR authority, BBC Sport sources have revealed.
Regardless of the result, after the Germany-Curacao game there was a change in approach to pre-match rituals.
When the VAR hub appeared in three consecutive matches, the officials were already facing the referees. Although their names still appear, we don’t see them looking at the camera.
