VAR made an 'error of judgement' allowing Haaland's Manchester derby winner, Pro Ref confirms
Pro Ref has admitted the VAR team failed to spot Enzo Fernández interfering from an offside position before Erling Haaland scored the winning goal at Old Trafford. The goal gave Manchester City a 1-0 derby victory despite playing most of the match with ten men. The refereeing body has already contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the mistake.
ByNatilla5 min read
Manchester City escaped Old Trafford with a 1-0 derby win thanks to an Erling Haaland strike that should never have counted. Pro Ref, the body responsible for refereeing standards in the Premier League, has confirmed the VAR team made an "error of judgement" by failing to spot Enzo Fernández interfering with play from an offside position. The goal arrived on the hour mark, with City down to ten men after Phil Foden's early red card.
- VAR overturned the initial offside call against Haaland but missed Fernández being in an offside position during the same attack.
- Fernández did not touch the ball, yet his attempted lunge forced Lisandro Martínez to react and left Haaland unmarked.
- Pro Ref contacted Manchester United after the match to acknowledge the mistake and announced a review of the incident.
- Haaland's ninth league goal against United makes him the all-time top scorer in Manchester derbies in the Premier League.
How VAR missed the offside interference on Haaland's goal
The winning move began with a deflected cross from Josko Gvardiol on the left flank. Haaland tucked the ball in at the far post, but the assistant referee initially ruled him offside. The semi-automated offside technology used in the Premier League showed Haaland was just in line with Patrick Dorgu's foot, prompting VAR to reverse the decision.
What the video review missed was Fernández's positioning. The Argentine midfielder, clearly ahead of the last defender, lunged toward the ball inside the six-yard box. Even without touching it, his movement distracted Martínez, who had been tracking Haaland but shifted his attention to Fernández. Under the laws of the game, that type of interference is enough to rule out the goal.
Pro Ref admits VAR mistake and promises a review
Shortly after full time, Pro Ref released a statement taking responsibility for the decision. The refereeing body explained that because Fernández did not play the ball, the offside offence was treated as subjective. On this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of Fernández's position and should have recommended an on-field review.
Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.
The organisation's admission means the winning goal ought to have been disallowed. The internal review will focus on why the video assistant team failed to identify Fernández's interference and how to prevent a similar failure in upcoming Premier League fixtures.
Martínez and Carrick furious after the derby defeat
Lisandro Martínez did not hide his frustration after the final whistle. The United defender explained that he had to move toward Fernández because he was in front of him, and that left Haaland free to score. For Martínez, the decision was an injustice that should not happen in the best league in the world.
He was offside. I went to Fernández because he was there in front of me, and that's why Haaland was free to score. It's unacceptable because every year they come and explain the rules for an hour and a half, and then they make this mistake.
Head coach Michael Carrick was equally scathing about the officiating team's explanation. He described the interpretation of the non-interference rule as "staggering" and said he was worried about how football is being judged. Carrick accepted the result would not define the season, but stressed the goal had a major impact on the match.
Foden's red card and Haaland's derby record
Manchester City played more than an hour with a numerical disadvantage following Foden's first-half dismissal. The England international kicked out at United captain Bruno Fernandes, leaving Pep Guardiola's side a man down at Old Trafford. Despite the pressure, City held on and found the decisive goal through Haaland.
That goal took the Norwegian striker to nine Premier League goals in Manchester derbies, more than any other player in the history of the fixture. His record against United cements his status as the main tormentor of the Old Trafford club since his arrival in English football.
Frequently asked questions about the derby controversy
Frequently asked questions
Why did VAR allow Haaland's goal against Manchester United?
The VAR focused on Haaland's position and determined he was onside by a small margin. The review missed that Enzo Fernández, standing offside, interfered with play by lunging for the ball, which influenced Lisandro Martínez and left Haaland free.
What has Pro Ref said about the VAR mistake?
Pro Ref has admitted an "error of judgement" and informed Manchester United that the goal should not have stood. The refereeing body has announced an internal review of the incident to understand what went wrong.
How many goals has Erling Haaland scored against Manchester United?
Erling Haaland has now scored nine Premier League goals against Manchester United after netting the winner at Old Trafford. He is the all-time leading scorer in Manchester derbies in the competition.