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Premier League refereeing chief Howard Webb has admitted that VAR officials failed to consider whether Enzo Fernandez was offside before Erling Haaland’s controversial winner in the Manchester derby.
Haaland’s 60th-minute goal was initially ruled out for offside at Old Trafford, but VAR overturned the decision after determining that the Manchester City striker was three centimetres onside when Josko Gvardiol delivered the cross.
However, the officials failed to assess Fernandez’s position as he moved towards the ball, with the Manchester United midfielder judged to have interfered with play despite not making contact.
VAR focused only on Haaland
Speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, Webb said VAR Matt Donohue became too focused on establishing whether Haaland was onside and failed to consider the wider circumstances surrounding the goal.
“The VAR gets super-focused on Haaland,” Webb said.
“He establishes he’s onside, he thinks that’s a good goal. He doesn’t truly evaluate the full impact of Fernandez’s position.”
Webb said the VAR team only checked whether Fernandez had touched the ball, because such a touch could have created a new offside phase involving Haaland.
The semi-automated technology showed Haaland was onside, but Fernandez’s position and movement were not properly assessed.
Webb admitted he was “really disappointed” with the outcome and confirmed that Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus would not officiate again until after the international break.
“This goal should’ve been disallowed,” Webb said. “Highly unfortunately, it wasn’t, and we’ll review it, reflect upon it, and try to take the learning forward to prevent this unusual type of error from happening again.”
Webb backs Foden red card
Webb also defended the decision to send off Phil Foden in the 23rd minute after the City midfielder kicked out at Bruno Fernandes.
He acknowledged that Fernandes had kicked Foden in the aftermath of an earlier confrontation but said the United midfielder’s action did not reach the threshold for violent conduct.
“I agree with the red card for Phil Foden,” Webb said. “He kicks out with force into the upper body of Bruno Fernandes.”
He described Fernandes’ kick as “more petulant than violent” and said it warranted a yellow card rather than a dismissal.
Webb added that had Foden’s red card initially been missed and subsequently awarded through a VAR review, Fernandes’ offence would also have been reviewed at the pitchside monitor.