MUNSTER, Germany — A masked fan unplugged a video assistant referee (VAR) monitor during a German second-division football match on Sunday, forcing officials to rely on a remote video decision after the pitchside screen went blank.
The unusual disruption occurred late in the first half of a 2. Bundesliga fixture between Preussen Munster and Hertha Berlin, which ended in a 2–1 victory for the visitors.
VAR officials had flagged a potential penalty incident and asked referee Felix Bickel to review the play using the pitchside monitor. However, when the referee approached the screen, it had no signal.
The home club later confirmed that a spectator had interfered with the equipment.
“A masked spectator from the active fan section illegally entered the pitch and unplugged the technical equipment,” Preussen Munster said in a statement.
Because the monitor was disconnected, Bickel could not view the replay himself. The final decision was instead made remotely by VAR official Katrin Rafalski at the central video operations room in Cologne.
After reviewing the footage, Rafalski ruled that a foul had occurred in the penalty area and instructed the referee to award a penalty. Hertha Berlin converted the spot kick.
The match eventually ended 2–1 in favour of the Berlin club.
Club officials said they were investigating the incident and pledged to identify those responsible.
“Preussen Munster regrets the incident and will do everything in its power to identify and bring the perpetrator(s) to justice,” the club said.
It added that immediate measures had been introduced to prevent similar disruptions at future matches.
Initial findings suggest the act may have been pre-planned. Shortly after the monitor malfunction, fans in the home section reportedly unveiled a banner protesting the technology.
German media reported the banner carried the message: “Pull the plug on VAR.”
The video assistant referee system, introduced across major European leagues to review key match decisions such as goals, penalties, and red cards, remains controversial among sections of football supporters. Critics argue it disrupts the flow of matches and undermines traditional officiating.
Authorities are now reviewing stadium security protocols to determine how the supporter gained access to the pitchside technical area during the game.
The incident adds to ongoing debates within German football about the role and implementation of VAR technology in domestic competitions.
