The video assistant referee who wrongly approved Erling Haaland’s winning goal in last month’s Manchester derby has been reinstated to Premier League matches. Matt Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus failed to spot that Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and interfering with play during the fixture at Old Trafford on September 13.
Return to Action and Previous Absence
Donohue is set to come back to the top flight as an assistant VAR when Coventry face Fulham on Saturday. He has missed three match rounds since the controversial incident, while Antrobus returned last weekend as an assistant referee for Newcastle’s home match against Aston Villa. As reported by Sky Sports News, Manchester United received an apology for the incorrect VAR verdict. Since the derby, Donohue has officiated in the English Football League, taking charge of Championship fixtures between Derby and Wrexham, and Southampton against Bolton.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (Pro Ref) chief refereeing officer Howard Webb stated that Donohue developed “tunnel vision” by concentrating solely on whether Haaland was offside, adding that his supporting team should have intervened.
How the Controversial Incident Unfolded
In the 59th minute, Haaland scored from close range to put 10-man Manchester City ahead, but the assistant referee initially raised his flag for offside against the striker. Semi-automated offside technology showed Haaland was onside, allowing the goal to stand, but City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was clearly in an offside position when he dived toward the same cross. Although Fernandez did not make contact with the ball, his movement appeared to hinder Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez before Haaland finished at the back post, which should have resulted in the goal being disallowed under the rules of the game.
In a social media post explaining the decision, the Premier League Match Centre stated that the VAR checked the initial offside call, confirmed Haaland was onside, and advised that the goal be awarded while determining that Fernandez did not play the ball. However, Pro Ref issued a statement hours later acknowledging an error of judgment and admitting that the VAR should have recommended an on-field review.
Pundit Reactions and Audio Review
Speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, Webb expressed disappointment with the outcome, explaining that the VAR became overly focused on Haaland being three centimetres onside and failed to evaluate the full attacking possession phase regarding Fernandez’s impact. Match audio revealed the officials discussing the sequence at Old Trafford, where the VAR confirmed Haaland was onside and told the referee to change the decision to a goal after checking that Fernandez made no touch.
Pundits heavily criticized the decision. Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville predicted an apology and stated that Fernandez was clearly attempting to play the ball and distracting Martinez. Jamie Carragher noted that the officials became obsessed with Haaland while ignoring Fernandez’s positioning. Micah Richards argued that Fernandez was actively challenging for the ball and affecting the defender, while Roy Keane added that Manchester United were unfairly penalized for maintaining a good defensive line.
Source: SkySports | News
