The two officials responsible for VAR during Manchester City’s derby victory over Manchester United have not been selected for Premier League duty this weekend following controversy over Erling Haaland’s decisive goal.
Matt Donohue, who operated as video assistant referee at Old Trafford, and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus are absent from the latest round of appointments. The decision was taken by Pro Ref chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and the organisation’s management team.
Pro Ref subsequently acknowledged that the VAR process surrounding Haaland’s winner involved an error of judgement.
The decisive moment came in the 60th minute, when Josko Gvardiol delivered the ball into the United penalty area and Haaland converted at the back post.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside by the on-field officials. VAR later overturned that decision after replays showed United defender Patrick Dorgu’s boot keeping Haaland onside.
However, attention then turned to Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was standing in an offside position during the move. Fernandez attempted to reach Gvardiol’s delivery with a diving header in the centre of the penalty area before the ball continued through to Haaland.
Although Fernandez did not make contact with the ball, questions were raised over whether his movement affected United’s defenders or goalkeeper sufficiently to constitute interference with play.
Pro Ref concluded that this aspect of the incident required a subjective judgement. Its review found that the VAR team failed to properly assess the possible impact of Fernandez’s position and should have advised referee to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
The controversy did not prevent City from leaving Old Trafford with another victory despite playing most of the match with 10 men. Phil Foden was sent off after 23 minutes, but City still secured the result through Haaland’s second-half goal.
The win maintained Manchester City’s perfect start to the Premier League campaign, with four victories from their opening four matches.