Pro Ref Admits VAR Tunnel Vision Cost Manchester United the Derby

Key points

• Howard Webb, Chief Refereeing Officer at Pro Ref, admitted that awarding Haaland’s goal was an error of judgement.
• The VAR team focused on Haaland’s three-centimetre onside margin but failed to evaluate Fernandez’s offside position and interference with play.
• Pro Ref acknowledged that Fernandez’s dive impacted Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens, disrupting the defensive setup.
• The officials involved in the decision have been stood down until after the international break, and Pro Ref has contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the mistake.
• The incident was featured in the first episode of this season’s 'Match Officials Mic’d Up' series, which also reviewed other controversial decisions.

Background

This controversy follows the Manchester derby where Manchester City won 1-0, a result heavily influenced by the disputed goal. Earlier reports indicated that Pro Ref sidelined lead VAR Matt Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus for the error. The incident sparked broader criticism regarding VAR consistency and the complexity of offside rules in high-stakes matches.

Why it matters

The admission of error by Pro Ref highlights significant flaws in the VAR process, particularly the risk of tunnel vision during reviews. It raises questions about the reliability of semi-automated offside technology and the need for improved protocols to ensure all elements of an attacking phase are evaluated, not just the final scorer.

What to watch

Pro Ref will review the incident to understand why the process failed. The involved officials will return to duty after the international break. The Premier League may consider adjustments to VAR protocols to prevent similar errors in future high-profile matches.