Masked vigilante fan unplugs VAR during match as club gives statement

A masked fan unplugged VAR in protest of the use of the technology in Germany on Sunday.

Referee Felix Bickel was directed to the sidelines to review a penalty call that took place in the 2.Bundesliga clash between Preussen Munster and Hertha Berlin on Sunday.

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However, as he approached the screen to review the incident, he was unable to see the replay.

Bickel initially opted against awarding a penalty after Munster’s Niko Koulis had brought down Michael Cuisance.

The referee, though, was advised to check the replay, but couldn’t as a Munster ultra had unplugged the monitor.

VAR protest

A banner in the LVM-Preußenstadion stands read: “Pull the plug on VAR“.

While the fan in question wasn’t identified, it did little to delay the review, which was checked by video referee Katrin Rafalski in a remote location in Cologne.

Hertha were awarded a penalty, which Fabian Reese scored on the stroke of half time.

Jannis Heuer levelled the scoreline for the home side shortly after the restart, but Hertha returned to Berlin with all the spoils after Marten Winkler bagged a late winning.

Hertha have now claimed back-to-back league victories in a bid to boost their promotion push.

Munster, meanwhile, are said to be investigating the VAR incident and are putting measures in place to avoid a repeat.

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A statement from the home side read: “In first-half stoppage time between SC Preußen Münster and Hertha BSC, VAR intervened after a controversial incident in the penalty area.

“However, the referee was unable to review the incident using the VAR monitor in the stadium because a masked spectator from the active fan section illegally entered the pitch and unplugged the technical equipment.

“The penalty decision was ultimately made by video referee Katrin Rafalski in the VAR room in Cologne.

“SC Preußen Münster 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.”

The result leaves Munster just above the relegation playoff spot on goal difference, and one point above 17th-placed Holstein Kiel.