Two VAR officials pulled from Premier League duty after disputed Manchester derby goal
Two video assistant referees have been removed from upcoming Premier League matches after an error in the Manchester derby. The refereeing body acknowledged that the VAR wrongly allowed Erling Haaland's winning goal for Manchester City against Manchester United. The officials will not return until after the international break.
The refereeing body’s decision removes both Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus from all Premier League assignments for the coming weekend, with their return delayed until after the international break. The error stemmed from a review that cleared Erling Haaland’s goal, but failed to account for teammate Enzo Fernandez’s offside involvement in the play. Manchester United, currently 13th, face Brighton in the League Cup before a league trip to Fulham, while City host Sunderland in the league after a cup match against Norwich.
The incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny of VAR’s decision-making in high-stakes matches. Pro Ref’s acknowledgment of the mistake, coupled with the swift removal of officials, underscores the pressure on match officials to ensure accuracy. Both clubs’ upcoming schedules remain unaffected by the ruling, but the controversy adds to the broader debate about the technology’s reliability in football’s most watched fixtures.
This incident may deepen public skepticism about VAR’s effectiveness, particularly among Manchester United supporters who feel aggrieved by a decisive title-race result. It could also pressure refereeing bodies to refine protocols for offside interference, potentially affecting how future goals are reviewed. Fans, players, and clubs may demand greater transparency in officiating decisions, while officials themselves face heightened scrutiny that could influence their confidence and performance in high-profile matches.