A masked spectator disrupted a German second-division match on Sunday by physically unplugging a pitchside VAR monitor, leading to a temporary technical blackout during a critical penalty review.
A Bundesliga 2 clash between Preussen Muenster and Hertha Berlin descended into chaos after a masked fan sabotaged the VAR equipment.
As referee Felix Bickel approached the monitor to review a penalty, he found the screen blank.
Preussen Muenster confirmed that a spectator “illegally entered the pitch and unplugged the technical equipment,” an act seemingly coordinated with a banner reading, “Pull the plug on VAR.”
Despite the interference, the penalty was awarded after Bickel consulted remotely with VAR official Katrin Rafalski.
Hertha Berlin converted the spot-kick to secure a 2-1 victory.
The home club issued an apology, stating they “will do everything in its power to identify and bring the perpetrator(s) to justice” while implementing stricter security measures to prevent future technological sabotage during matches.