Masked fan unplugs VAR monitor during German match

Referee Felix Bickel gave a penalty after the VAR decision A masked fan unplugged a video assistant referee (VAR) monitor in a German second division match on Sunday as the referee went to the pitchside screen to check a penalty award. The incident occurred at the end of the first half of Preussen Munster's 2-1 home defeat by Hertha Berlin in Bundesliga 2 in Cologne. Referee Felix Bickel was asked by VAR to review the incident on a pitchside monitor, but found the screen blank. With Bickel unable to make the call, the decision was left to the VAR official Katrin Rafalski to rule that it was a foul and for Bickel to award a penalty, which Hertha scored. "A masked spectator from the active fan section illegally entered the pitch and unplugged the technical equipment," Preussen Munster said in a statement. , external "Preussen Munster regrets the incident and will do everything in its power to identify and bring the perpetrator(s) to justice. "Furthermore, immediate measures have been taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. Initial findings indicate that this was a planned action - a banner to that effect was displayed in the home section shortly after the technical malfunction." German media reported that a banner reading "Pull the plug on VAR" was displayed. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Four big calls Borthwick could make to revive England Dolphins to release Tagovailoa at record £74m cost Will Wolves pull off the Premier League's greatest escape? Jessie Buckley on The Bride! and Oscar nominated Hamnet The Nations Pod Guide puts Rome in the centre The Mitford sisters refuse to play by the rules The highlights of Piano Room Month 2026 with Vernon Kay Four big calls Borthwick could make to revive England 'We've not moved on from Old Firm cup final 45 years ago' India triumphant again - do the rest have any hope of catching them? Five talking points from round four of Six Nations Watch Celtic beat Rangers on penalties to reach Scottish Cup semis. Video Watch Celtic beat Rangers on penalties to reach Scottish Cup semis 'England's style of play is tedious and doesn't allow players to express themselves' Randell makes history with five wickets in five balls Was new-era F1 really racing or more like a computer game? 'Fantastic French made to look ordinary as Scotland come of age' Russell 'imperious' and Bearman 'raced beautifully' - driver ratings Winter Paralympics daily guide: Six golds on offer on Monday 'I saw a drone hit the US consulate' - Patten's escape from Dubai Who is to blame for Spurs' chaotic descent towards relegation? 'Howard Webb, where are you?' - How we can stop VAR ruining football 'There were tears - but I had to peek behind curtain of head injuries in rugby' Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.