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EPL

Howard Webb Explains Manchester Derby VAR Error as Officials Are Stood Down

By WAF News Desk 3 min read
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Howard Webb has explained how a case of VAR ‘tunnel vision’ led to Erling Haaland’s controversial Manchester derby winner being allowed to stand, with the two video officials involved now stood down until after the international break.

Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford on September 13, but the decisive goal has remained under scrutiny after refereeing body Pro Ref acknowledged that the VAR process was wrong.

What Howard Webb said about the VAR mistake

Pro Ref chief refereeing officer Howard Webb said the video team became too focused on whether Haaland himself was onside and failed to properly assess the involvement of Enzo Fernandez.

Haaland had initially been flagged offside before VAR overturned the on-field decision. The problem was that Fernandez was also in an offside position and attempted to play the ball before it reached Haaland at the back post.

Although Fernandez did not make contact, his movement affected Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez. Pro Ref later concluded that the VAR should have recommended an on-field review so referee Michael Oliver could judge whether Fernandez had interfered with an opponent.

Which VAR officials have been stood down?

VAR Matt Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus have been removed from appointments until after the international break following the mistake.

Webb described the failure as a case of tunnel vision, with the review concentrating on Haaland’s position rather than considering the full attacking phase. Pro Ref has contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the error.

The decision is particularly significant because Haaland’s goal was the only goal of the derby. City were already down to 10 men after Phil Foden’s first-half red card but held on for a 1-0 victory.

Why Haaland’s goal should have been reviewed

The key distinction is that an offside offence does not always require a player to touch the ball. A player in an offside position can still be penalised if their actions clearly affect an opponent’s ability to play the ball.

That was the element missed during the derby review. Fernandez’s attempted play drew Martinez toward him, while Haaland was left free to finish at the far post. Pro Ref’s position is not simply that the goal should automatically have been ruled out, but that the subjective interference question required Michael Oliver to review the incident at the monitor.

Manchester United accept the explanation

Manchester United were furious immediately after the defeat, with manager Michael Carrick questioning how the officials had reached the decision despite the technology available to them.

The club has since received an acknowledgement from Pro Ref and, according to reports, will not pursue further action. The result itself cannot be changed.

For Webb and Pro Ref, the focus now turns to preventing a repeat. The incident is the first major VAR controversy of the new Premier League season and has again highlighted that semi-automated offside technology can establish player positions, but subjective interference decisions still depend on officials assessing the entire passage of play.

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