VAR Official Dropped After Haaland Goal Error in Manchester Derby

Matt Donohue, the VAR official at the centre of the controversial decision that allowed Erling Haaland’s goal in the Manchester derby, will not be assigned to a Premier League match next weekend.

His assistant, Blake Antrobus, has also been left out of the upcoming fixtures after Pro Ref admitted that VAR made an “error of judgement” in the incident during Manchester City’s victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Donohue, 37, had been involved in every Premier League matchday this season before the latest decision. He previously served as VAR during Brighton & Hove Albion’s opening-day victory over Aston Villa, Sunderland’s win against Fulham and Newcastle United’s draw with Bournemouth.

He has also not been selected for the current midweek Carabao Cup fixtures.

The decision to leave Donohue and Antrobus out was taken by Pro Ref chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and the organisation’s management team. Both officials are expected to remain out of Premier League action until after the forthcoming international break.

Haaland’s goal had initially been ruled out for offside after the Manchester City striker appeared to be ahead of United defender Patrick Dorgu. There was also a separate issue involving Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position while moving towards the cross.

VAR subsequently overturned the on-field decision and advised that the goal should stand.

However, Pro Ref later acknowledged that Fernandez’s position should have been considered more significant. The refereeing body said the VAR official failed to properly assess the potential effect of Fernandez’s movement and should have sent the referee to the pitch-side monitor for another review.

Pro Ref said it had contacted Manchester United to acknowledge what it described as an “error of judgement” and confirmed that the incident would be reviewed.

Premier League rules state that an offside player can be penalised when they are clearly attempting to play a nearby ball and their action affects an opponent.

Fernandez was being closely marked by United defender Lisandro Martinez during the move, while Haaland was left unmarked at the far post.

The Premier League’s match centre had initially defended the VAR intervention during the game, stating that a review found Haaland to be in an onside position. It also concluded that Fernandez, despite being in an offside position, had not played the ball.

Pro Ref’s subsequent assessment, however, determined that Fernandez’s involvement should have triggered a further on-field review.