Fare Network, an organisation established to counter inequality and discrimination in football, has called on FIFA to remove a video assistant referee (VAR) official from the World Cup after he flashed an allegedly white supremacist gesture during a match.

The incident happened when Germany faced Curaçao on Sunday. When the pre-game footage of the official broadcast cut to the VAR team, Shaun Evans, one of the officials, was seen making a reversed “okay” sign with his right hand in front of his right leg.

Anti-Defamation League, a global anti-bigotry organisation, designated the gesture as a hate symbol since 2019.

In a statement, Fare Network, a long-time partner of FIFA to monitor racist and discriminatory behaviour, said “the gesture used clearly resembles an upside-down ‘OK’ hand symbol used as a ‘white power’ symbol in global far-right circles”.

“Clearly, this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup,” the statement read.

It remains unclear whether Evans, an Australian making his World Cup debut, was making a political gesture

Afrobeats star Davido has been confirmed as one of the performers for FIFA’s World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, United States, on June 10.

FIFA announced this on Tuesday as part of activities leading up to the commencement of the expanded World Cup, which the United States, Canada and Mexico will jointly host.

According to the global football governing body, Davido will share the stage with Major Lazer, the music project led by American DJ and producer Diplo, during the Los Angeles leg of the concert series.

The event is part of a synchronised live entertainment programme that will connect audiences across the three host nations through music, football and cultural performances ahead of the tournament.

Casablanca, Morocco – In a heartwarming show of sportsmanship and solidarity, members of Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Wednesday paid a visit to South African midfielder Gabriela Salgado at the Mohamed VI Hospital in Casablanca.

Salgado sustained a serious injury during the high-stakes semifinal clash between South Africa and Nigeria at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which was held yesterday. The injury forced her off the field, and she later underwent surgery at the Casablanca-based hospital.

Despite the intense rivalry on the pitch, the Super Falcons’ visit highlighted the mutual respect between the two African football giants. The Nigerian players offered words of encouragement and wished Salgado a speedy recovery, emphasizing the importance of unity and compassion in the world of sports.

Hospital officials confirmed that the surgery was successful and that Salgado is in stable condition.

The gesture has since gone viral on social media, earning praise from fans and officials across the continent as an example of the true spirit of African football.