Manchester United were angry at the decision to allow Erling Haaland’s goal to stand in the Manchester derby and received an apology from Pro Refs.
Manchester United anger over a VAR breakdown that allowed Erling Haaland’s winning goal at Old Trafford to stand won’t be eased by the fact that the refereeing body has been in this position before.
Pro Refs released a statement hours after the final whistle of the 199th Manchester derby, confirming an error had been made in the process that saw Haaland’s goal awarded, when it had been ruled out on the field for an offside.
The decision centred on whether Enzo Fernandez was interfering with play in trying to reach Josko Gvardiol’s cross before Haaland turned it home at the back post.
A Pro Ref spokesperson said: “Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland’s awarded goal.
“The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position. In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his 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.”
But it isn’t the first time match officials and VAR have made a mistake for a similar incident. Manchester City benefitred in September 2023 when a Nathan Ake header in a 5-1 win against Fulham was given, despite Manuel Akanji attempting to play the ball from an offside position.
“It’s a clear situation of offside,” referees’ chief Howard Webb told Match Officials: Mic’d Up.
“From the outset I think this should have been disallowed. It certainly appears Akanji has an impact on the goalkeeper who seems to hesitate.”
In December 2024 an Everton goal against Wolves was also awarded, the last in a 4-0 win, only for Key Match Incidents Panel to later say the officials had got it wrong.
Abdoulaye Doucoure was in an offside position as he challenged Wolves centre-back Craig Dawson, who turned the ball past his own goalkeeper.
The KMI panel said: “The offside attacker’s actions clearly impact the defender’s ability to challenge for or play the ball. The panel concluded that both the on-field decision (4:1) and the VAR’s decision not to intervene (4:1) was incorrect.”
The inconsistencies around the rule were on show in the Carabao Cup semi-finals last season. Antoine Semenyo had a goal for City away at Newcastle chalked off because Haaland was deemed to be blocking a defender on the line.
But Ben White’s header for Arsenal against Chelsea was given, despite Viktor Gyokeres being in an offside position, while he also blocked a defender on the line.
A growing catalogue of incidents suggests match officials and those in the VAR room aren’t themselves sure of the rules. It shouldn’t be difficult to work out who is interfering with play, and if an attacker is trying to get to a ball in the six-yard box, or is involved in a tussle with a defender on the goalline, it looks a fairly simple decision to make.
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