Howard Webb has explained how a VAR review at Old Trafford allowed Erling Haaland’s winning goal for Manchester City to stand despite Enzo Fernandez being in an offside position during the buildup.
The Pro Ref chief refereeing officer used the review audio to explain how officials missed Fernandez’s involvement in the buildup. He admitted he was “really disappointed” with the outcome after Haaland’s goal decided the Manchester derby.
Webb said the mistake began with the assistant referee flagging Haaland for offside, not Fernandez. As a result, the assistant referee did not judge Fernandez to be involved in the buildup. That was the situation VAR reviewed when it checked the decision.
Checking Haaland’s position was straightforward. Semi-automated offside technology showed that Patrick Dorgu, the Manchester United defender furthest back, had kept Haaland onside by three centimetres.
Webb said the VAR then treated the offside check as settled and moved to confirm the goal, while Fernandez’s position in the buildup was not considered.
Fernandez was standing offside as the ball travelled towards Haaland. Although he did not touch the ball, Webb said his movement affected the United players around him. Lisandro Martinez, the defender closest to Fernandez, was unable to step across and clear the danger.
Webb also said Fernandez’s position may have affected goalkeeper Senne Lammens, whose positioning for Haaland’s eventual shot was affected by the forward’s presence.
Why The VAR Missed Fernandez's Impact On The Passage Of Play
Webb said the VAR review became focused on whether Fernandez had touched the ball after Haaland was found to be onside. Because Fernandez did not touch it, the officials did not fully consider whether his offside position had interfered with the United players during the buildup.
Webb said the VAR never applied the offside rule to Fernandez, who could have been penalised for interfering with an opponent despite not touching the ball. His position affected United’s defenders, but the review focused only on whether he had touched the ball.
Webb said the rest of the VAR team should then have reconsidered Fernandez’s position before the goal was confirmed, but that did not happen.
What Happens To The Officials Who Worked The Manchester Derby
The consequences have already been applied. VAR Matt Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus were left out of the appointments list for the following round of Premier League fixtures, a call made directly by Webb and the Pro Ref management team.
Neither official is due back on duty before the international break, which gives Pro Ref time to complete the internal review Webb says is now underway into where the process failed.
Webb also acknowledged the impact of the mistake on the officials, saying they take pride in their work and were disappointed to have fallen short in a Manchester derby.
“I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are. None more so than the officials themselves. They take a lot of personal pride in what they do, and they're obviously hurting now having fallen short in this situation."
Pro Ref also contacted Manchester United on the night of the match to explain what had gone wrong. The club was shown the VAR audio and video review, which Webb said is standard practice when a serious officiating error occurs.
What Manchester United's Reaction Means For Pro Ref Going Forward
Manchester United have not taken further action against Pro Ref, but the club remains unhappy with the decision. Head coach Michael Carrick questioned the explanation after the final whistle.
Martinez said Fernandez’s position directly in front of him allowed Haaland to find space at the back post.
Pro Ref’s internal review will determine whether any further changes are made. Webb has not given a timeline for its conclusion or said whether the review could lead to changes in how VAR teams assess offside interference when a player does not touch the ball.
