A masked fan unplugged the referee's video assistant referee (VAR) monitor during a German second-division football match on Sunday, in an apparent protest against the system. The incident occurred while referee Felix Bickel was reviewing a penalty decision in the game between Preußen Münster and Hertha Berlin.
Television footage showed a person wearing white overalls and a green ski mask emerging from the home fans' stand, unplugging the monitor, and then climbing back into the crowd. Despite the disruption, the decision went against Münster, as the VAR, Katrin Rafalski, communicated remotely to confirm the penalty. Hertha Berlin's Fabian Reese scored, leading to a 2-1 win for the visitors.
Preußen Münster issued a statement expressing regret over the incident and vowing to identify and prosecute the perpetrator. The club described the action as 'planned' and noted that home fans had displayed a banner reading 'Pull the plug on VAR.' Münster captain Jorrit Hendrix, however, expressed support for the protest, stating that fans want to influence the game and that he understands their frustration.
VAR has been controversial in Germany since its introduction in 2017, with many fans criticising the delays it causes and its impact on the flow of the game.
