German football body to investigate VAR sabotage in second division

The German Football Federation (DFB) has initiated proceedings against Preussen Münster after a fan sabotaged the video assistant referee (VAR) screen during the second division match against Hertha Berlin on Sunday.

"Due to this incident and the use of pyrotechnics, the control committee is initiating proceedings against Preussen Münster," the DFB told dpa on Monday.

The referee was prevented from checking a penalty on the pitchside monitor after a masked individual pulled the plug.

A banner was briefly held up in the Münster fan block during the game which read, "Pull the plug on VAR."

The club confirmed that it was a planned sabotage.

"Preussen Münster regret the incident and will do everything in our power to identify the perpetrator(s) and hold them accountable. Measures were taken immediately to prevent similar incidents in the future. According to initial findings, this was a planned action," a statement on the club website stated.