A masked fan unplugged a VAR screen during a football match between Preussen Munster and Hertha Berlin in Germany. The fan's action was a protest against the use of VAR technology. The incident occurred when referee Felix Bickel was called to review a penalty decision.
Referee Felix Bickel was unable to see a replay on the VAR monitor due to the sabotage. A banner in the stands read: 'Pull the plug on VAR' or similar wording. The penalty decision was ultimately made by video referee Katrin Rafalski from a remote VAR room in Cologne.
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 incident involved a controversial penalty area incident where Hertha Berlin's Michael Cuisance was fouled by Munster's Niko Koulis. Hertha Berlin won the match 2-1, with a penalty scored by Fabian Reese and a late goal by Marten Winkler. The saboteur was not spotted in action, but a masked supporter was seen being helped back into the stands.
According to Preussen Munster, the club is investigating the incident and taking measures to prevent future occurrences. Preussen Munster also reports that initial findings indicate the sabotage was a planned action. According to Aftonbladet, fans of Preussen Munster sabotaged the use of VAR in a match against Hertha BSC.
My colleague Katrin Rafalski determined that Munster's number 24 clearly touched Cuisance's shin. Therefore, my final decision is: penalty kick.
The specific technical measures being implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future have not been detailed. The exact timing and method of how the fan accessed the pitch to unplug the equipment are also not specified. The broader impact of this incident on VAR usage or fan protests in German football remains to be seen.