VAR Error Puts Haaland Derby Winner Under Scrutiny

Manchester City’s 1-0 derby victory at Old Trafford has led ProRef to stand down video assistant referees Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus after the refereeing body acknowledged an “error of judgement” over Erling Haaland’s winning goal.

The formal review centered on the 60th-minute sequence that decided Sunday’s match. Haaland’s effort was initially ruled out for offside on the field, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review. Replays showed that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu had played Haaland onside at the far post.

The review also examined Enzo Fernandez’s movement toward Josko Gvardiol’s initial cross. Fernandez had moved from an offside position before Haaland received the ball, and ProRef confirmed after the match that the VAR team had failed to penalize him for interference before the goal was scored.

Under International Football Association Board (IFAB) Law 11, a player in an offside position can be penalized for interfering with play or an opponent when they make a clear attempt to play the ball or perform an action that affects an opponent’s ability to play it.

Addressing reporters ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming EFL Cup fixture against Norwich City, manager Enzo Maresca defended the officiating crew. He argued that public attention on the decision had unfairly minimized his team’s performance, which came despite City playing with 10 men for more than 70 minutes.

Maresca said replay officials must make subjective decisions within 10 to 20 seconds while under intense pressure. He also cited football’s human margin of error by referring to a January 2023 derby at Old Trafford, when he was a Manchester City assistant coach under Pep Guardiola.

In that match, a controversial Marcus Rashford offside run came before a Bruno Fernandes equalizer in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory. Manchester City believed the decision was incorrect, but no public apology was issued.

The latest Old Trafford match brought a separate disciplinary setback for City’s domestic campaign. Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute after receiving a straight red card for kicking United midfielder Bruno Fernandes in the stomach during an off-the-ball clash.

Under Standard Football Association (FA) disciplinary regulations, a straight red card for violent conduct results in an automatic three-match suspension across all domestic competitions. Foden’s ban covers Thursday’s EFL Cup tie against Norwich City, followed by Premier League fixtures against Sunderland and Liverpool.

City nevertheless held their lead and secured the victory, maintaining an undefeated start to the Premier League season. The club now turns to the EFL Cup, where Video Assistant Referee technology is not used in the competition’s earlier rounds under current Football League protocols.

Maresca confirmed that the absence of video reviews would not change Manchester City’s tactical preparation as the team seeks to advance in domestic cup play.