A dramatic moment unfolded during a match in the 2. Bundesliga when a masked fan disrupted play by unplugging the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) monitor.
The incident occurred during a game between Preußen Münster and Hertha Berlin. Officials attempted to review a foul using VAR in the first half, but the referee could not access the monitor after a spectator ran onto the pitch and disconnected the equipment.
Despite the disruption, the decision did not stop. The video referee, Katrin Rafalski, reviewed the incident remotely from the VAR control center in Cologne and awarded a penalty.
Hertha Berlin successfully converted the penalty and later secured a 2-1 victory with a late goal.
Club officials from Preußen Münster condemned the act and confirmed that authorities have launched an investigation. Early findings suggest the act may have been planned, as fans displayed a banner reading “pull the plug on VAR” shortly after the incident.
The club has promised stricter security measures to prevent similar disruptions in future matches.
VAR, introduced to improve decision-making in football, has remained controversial. While it aims to correct clear errors, many fans argue that it slows down the game and reduces the excitement of live matches.
