Drama as angry fan unplugs VAR monitor in German League match

A masked fan unplugged the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) monitor during a German second-division football match on Sunday. This happened when the referee went to the screen on the side of the pitch to check a penalty.

The incident occurred at the end of the first half of Preussen Münster’s 2-1 home loss to Hertha Berlin in Bundesliga 2 in Cologne.

Referee Felix Bickel went to check the monitor but found it was blank. The VAR official, Katrin Rafalski, then decided it was a foul, and Bickel awarded a penalty, which Hertha scored.

Preussen Münster said:

“A masked spectator illegally entered the pitch and unplugged the equipment. We regret this and will do everything to identify and punish the person responsible. Steps have been taken to prevent it from happening again.

Early reports suggest this was planned, as a banner appeared in the home section supporting the act.”

German media reported that the banner said “Pull the plug on VAR.”