VAR Officials Suspended After Admitted Error in Manchester Derby Haaland Goal

Key points

• Pro Ref acknowledged an 'error of judgement' in the 60th-minute goal by Erling Haaland for Manchester City against Manchester United.
• VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus were not appointed for weekend matches following the incident.
• The goal was initially disallowed for offside but awarded after VAR ruled Haaland onside, ignoring Fernández’s offside dive.
• Manchester City won 1-0 despite Phil Foden’s red card, maintaining a perfect start to the season.
• Pro Ref stated Fernández did not touch the ball, making the offside offense subjective, but admitted they should have recommended an on-field review.

Background

This incident follows a series of VAR controversies in the Premier League, including the 2023 Liverpool-Tottenham debacle. Recent archive coverage highlights ongoing tensions between fans and officiating bodies, with Manchester United’s tactical vulnerabilities and Michael Carrick’s caretaker role exacerbating the fallout. The error underscores broader debates about VAR’s ability to handle subjective calls, as seen in earlier 2026-27 season previews discussing officiating reliability.

How outlets are covering it

Defector criticizes VAR’s inability to handle subjective elements, arguing that Fernández’s dive clearly impacted the play and that Pro Ref’s admission of error does little to calm United’s fans. BBC reports the factual suspension of VAR officials and Pro Ref’s statement, emphasizing the procedural response rather than the subjective debate. Both sources agree on the outcome but differ in tone: Defector highlights the systemic flaws, while BBC focuses on the administrative consequences.

Why it matters

The incident raises questions about VAR’s reliability in high-stakes matches, potentially influencing future officiating policies and fan trust in the Premier League. It also highlights the impact of subjective calls on match outcomes, as seen in the Manchester derby, where a single error decided the result and affected team standings.

What to watch

Pro Ref plans a review of the incident after the international break, and VAR officials may face further scrutiny or reassignment. The Premier League may consider adjustments to VAR protocols to address subjective calls, potentially impacting future matches and fan perceptions of fairness.