Manchester: Manchester City's narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Manchester derby on Sunday, September 13, 2026, has sparked controversy after the refereeing body acknowledged a mistake by VAR in awarding Erling Haaland's decisive goal.
According to Ghana Web, the controversy has led to the suspension of VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus. They have been removed from Premier League duty until at least after the forthcoming international break. This decision was taken by Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb and the Pro Ref management team, as stated in their official communication.
The goal in question was initially disallowed for offside, but VAR later judged Haaland to be onside. The situation was further complicated by Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position and attempted to engage with the play, though he did not make contact with the ball. Pro Ref later conceded that the VAR team failed to adequately evaluate Fernandez's involvement in the play.
A statement from Pro Ref explained that while Fernandez did not play the ball, his positioning should have prompted an on-field review due to its potential impact. This oversight allowed Manchester City to maintain their lead and secure victory, even as they were reduced to 10 men following Phil Foden's red card in the first half.