A masked fan unplugged a video assistant referee (VAR) monitor during a Bundesliga 2 match on Sunday, forcing the referee to rely on the VAR official in Cologne. The incident occurred at the end of the first half of Preussen Munster's 2-1 home defeat by Hertha Berlin. Referee Felix Bickel was called to the pitchside screen to review a penalty award but found the display blank.

Preussen Munster stated a masked spectator from the active fan section illegally entered the pitch and unplugged the technical equipment. With Bickel unable to make the call, the decision was left to VAR Katrin Rafalski, who ruled it was a foul and instructed Bickel to award the penalty Hertha scored. The club expressed regret and vowed to identify and prosecute the perpetrator(s).

Immediate measures were taken to prevent future incidents, with initial findings suggesting a planned action; a banner reading 'Pull the plug on VAR' was displayed shortly after the malfunction.