Manchester, United Kingdom | September 15, 2026
Professional Refereeing chief refereeing officer Howard Webb has attributed the controversial decision to allow Erling Haaland’s goal in Sunday’s Manchester derby to “tunnel vision” by the video assistant referee team.
Haaland’s second half goal at Old Trafford was initially ruled out for offside before a VAR review overturned the decision and allowed Manchester City’s forward to score. However, Pro Ref, the organisation responsible for refereeing in English professional football, later admitted that the goal should have been disallowed.
The review established that while the semi automated offside system correctly determined that Haaland was in an onside position, VAR officials failed to properly assess the involvement of teammate Enzo Fernandez, who had attempted to play the ball from an offside position.
“I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are. None more so than the officials themselves,” Webb, Pro Ref’s chief refereeing officer, said on Match Officials Mic’d Up on Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
“They take a lot of personal pride in what they do, and they’re obviously hurting now having fallen short in this situation.”
Webb confirmed that VAR official Matt Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus would not officiate again until after the international break following the error.
He also said Pro Ref had contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the mistake.
“We’ve reached out to Manchester United and acknowledged the error, as we do when these things happen,” Webb said.
Webb explained that the offside technology quickly confirmed Haaland was in an onside position, but the VAR review did not properly consider the complete attacking phase and Fernandez’s involvement.
“But of course, when he then runs it back through the full APP, he doesn’t truly evaluate the full impact of Fernandez’s position,” Webb said.
“He has a look to see if he touches the ball, because then that relates to potentially knocking it to Haaland, who goes on to score. He doesn’t touch the ball, but he doesn’t truly evaluate other elements of offside. In that moment, he gets tunnel vision.”
The decision drew criticism from Manchester United manager Michael Carrick following his side’s 1 0 home defeat to Manchester City.
The result was United’s second defeat in four Premier League matches this season.
Manchester United will next face Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday before travelling to Fulham for their next Premier League fixture on Sunday.
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