Masked fan unplugs VAR monitor in protest at German football match

A German second-division football match was interrupted on Sunday in an apparent protest against VAR technology During the game between Preußen Münster and Hertha Berlin, an unidentified fan emerged from the stands and unplugged the referee's pitch-side video review monitor The incident occurred as referee Felix Bickel was attempting to use the screen to review a potential penalty kick against the home side

Television footage showed an individual dressed in white overalls and a green ski mask returning to the home fans' section after the act Despite the on-field monitor being disabled, the review process was completed. Video Assistant Referee Katrin Rafalski made the decision remotely and relayed the information to Bickel on the pitch

Based on the remote review, Hertha Berlin was awarded the penalty. Forward Fabian Reese successfully converted the spot-kick, scoring the first goal in what would become a 2-1 victory for Hertha In a statement following the match, Preußen Münster said the club 'regrets the incident and will do everything it can to identify the perpetrator or perpetrators' The club also stated it would implement measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again