The video assistant referee at the centre of a contentious decision in Sunday's Manchester derby has been removed from Premier League duty this weekend, with Pro Ref confirming an "error of judgement" was made in awarding Erling Haaland's winning goal.
Matt Donohue, who served as VAR for the match at Old Trafford, and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus will not take charge of any fixtures until at least October 10, following the international break. The decision was taken by Pro Ref chief Howard Webb and the organisation's management team.
The controversy stemmed from Haaland's 60th-minute winner, when he turned in Josko Gvardiol's cross at the back post to hand City a 1-0 victory over their rivals. The goal was initially disallowed for offside on the field, but a VAR review overturned that call after replays showed Haaland had been played onside by a touch from United's Patrick Dorgu.
However, the review failed to address a separate issue: whether City midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position, had interfered with play by lunging to head the ball moments before Haaland's finish. His movement appeared to affect the reactions of United defender Lisandro Martinez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Pro Ref acknowledged the oversight in a statement, saying: "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." Referee Michael Oliver was not advised to check the pitchside monitor before the goal was allowed to stand.
Oliver has not been sanctioned and will take charge of Bournemouth's home match against Liverpool this weekend, suggesting the fallout has been confined to the VAR booth.
The incident prompted strong reaction from pundits. Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney did not hold back on BBC's Match of the Day 2, saying: "I'm just so sick of this VAR, I think it's horrendous. It takes all the emotion off the game, the energy the game's played with, and to not see that and recognise Fernandez is in an offside position... Anyone who's played the game at any level understands that and knows that he's in an offside position... to get it so wrong, it's just baffling."
Former forward Jay Bothroyd went further on Sky Sports News' Ref Watch, calling for punishment beyond mere apology. "Players make mistakes, right? And they get reprimanded. Officials need to do the same thing... saying I'm sorry is just not good enough," he said, adding that United boss Michael Carrick could ultimately pay the price with his job due to refereeing errors.
Ex-referee Dermot Gallagher offered a different perspective, suggesting officials are their own harshest critics. "We are the worst enemies for ourselves," he said, noting the officiating team had lost focus by fixating on one element of the law rather than the broader picture of interference.
Beyond the officiating storm, the match itself proved a lopsided affair after Phil Foden's 23rd-minute red card left City to see out much of the game with ten men. United struggled to capitalise, managing only three shots on target from 16 attempts, while City's superior efficiency—embodied by Haaland's predatory instincts—proved decisive. The win kept City perfect through four league games and level on points with leaders Arsenal.
Howard Webb was expected to address the controversy further on Sky Sports and TNT Sports' 'Match Officials: Mic'd Up' programme, with Pro Ref confirming it has been in contact with Manchester United regarding the matter.
Based on reporting from The Independent, The Guardian, and BBC Sport.