VAR for Manchester derby dropped from Premier League duty after Haaland goal dispute
During the Manchester derby, assistant referee Matt Donohue mistakenly awarded a goal after a VAR review, despite evidence that Enzo Fernandez was offside. The incident led to Donohue and his colleague Blake Antrobus being dropped from the Premier League referee list for the upcoming weekend. The d…
The Premier League’s refereeing department has taken a decisive step after a controversial VAR decision in the Manchester derby. Assistant referee Matt Donohue, who had been promoted to the top‑flight list in May 2024, was removed from the Premier League match‑making roster for the weekend following a high‑profile error that saw Erling Haaland’s goal stand despite clear indications that Enzo Fernandez was offside.
What Happened on the Pitch
During the 3‑2 win for Manchester City over Manchester United at Old Trafford, Haaland’s strike was initially ruled out for offside. However, a VAR review led to the goal being awarded. The review focused on whether Fernandez, who had moved into an offside position during the build‑up, had interfered with play. The assistant referee on the sidelines, Donohue, failed to advise on‑field referee Michael Oliver to check the monitor for a potential offside call. As a result, the goal was allowed to stand.
On the field, the decision was complicated by the fact that Haaland was later shown to be onside by the assistant referee Patrick Dorgu. Fernandez’s proximity to the ball and his influence on United defender Lisandro Martinez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens were deemed to meet the threshold for an offside offence. The incident sparked immediate backlash from fans, players and pundits alike.
Reactions from the Football Community
Former United striker Wayne Rooney expressed his frustration on BBC’s Match of the Day 2, calling the decision “baffling” and criticizing the VAR system for stripping the game of its emotion. “I’m just so sick of this VAR, I think it’s horrendous,” Rooney said. He added that the error undermined the integrity of the match and called for greater accountability.
Former Coventry and Cardiff forward Jay Bothroyd demanded that officials face sanctions, arguing that referees should be held to the same standards as players. “There needs to be some kind of punishment for officials as well,” he said. He also urged former players to be involved in VAR decision‑making to ensure fairness.
Pro Ref, the body overseeing refereeing in England, acknowledged the mistake and stated that it was an “error of judgement.” The organization confirmed that Donohue and Antrobus would not be assigned to any Premier League fixtures until at least October 10, following an international break. The decision reflects a broader push to improve the consistency and transparency of VAR decisions.
Implications for VAR and Referee Accountability
Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer of Pro Ref, is scheduled to appear on Sky Sports’ “Match Officials: Mic’d Up” show to discuss the derby error. Webb’s appearance signals a commitment to open dialogue about the challenges facing VAR technology and the human element that still plays a critical role in decision‑making.
Ex‑referee Dermot Gallagher weighed in on the incident, noting that referees often “beat themselves up” when they make mistakes. He emphasized that the focus on a single element of the law—whether Fernandez touched the ball—diverted attention from the real issue of offside interference. Gallagher highlighted the need for learning from such errors to improve future performance.
What Happens Next?
With Donohue and Antrobus sidelined, the Premier League will continue to rely on other VAR officials for upcoming fixtures. The incident has prompted discussions about potential reforms, including clearer guidelines for on‑field communication during VAR reviews and stricter disciplinary measures for refereeing errors. Whether these changes will be implemented remains to be seen, but the conversation has already intensified.
For now, the focus will shift to the upcoming Bournemouth vs. Liverpool match, which will be officiated by Michael Oliver. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if the league can restore confidence in its refereeing standards.
In the meantime, the Premier League and Pro Ref will likely review their protocols to prevent similar incidents. The decision to drop Donohue and Antrobus underscores the importance of accountability and the evolving role of technology in football officiating.
As the season progresses, the spotlight will remain on VAR’s impact on the game, and whether the current system can balance speed, accuracy, and the human element that makes football compelling.
For supporters and stakeholders, the incident serves as a reminder that the integrity of the sport depends on continuous improvement and transparent governance.
Ultimately, the Premier League’s response to this controversy will shape the future of refereeing in England and set a precedent for how errors are handled in the sport’s highest tier.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how the league adapts, and whether the changes will restore confidence in the fairness of the game.
Key Takeaways
- Matt Donohue’s VAR error in the Manchester derby led to his removal from Premier League fixtures.
- Enzo Fernandez was offside, but the decision to award the goal was not reviewed properly.
- Former players, including Wayne Rooney and Jay Bothroyd, called for greater accountability for referees.
- Pro Ref acknowledged the mistake and will not assign Donohue or Antrobus until at least October 10.
- Howard Webb and Dermot Gallagher discussed the need for clearer guidelines and learning from errors.
- The incident highlights ongoing debates about VAR’s role and the balance between technology and human judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why was Matt Donohue removed from the Premier League lineup? He failed to advise the on‑field referee to review an offside situation, leading to a wrongful goal being awarded.
- What does this mean for VAR’s future? The incident may prompt stricter protocols and potential disciplinary measures for referees involved in errors.
- Will the Premier League change its VAR procedures? Discussions are underway, but no concrete changes have been announced yet.
- How long will Donohue and Antrobus be sidelined? They are not scheduled to officiate until at least October 10, following an international break.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the critical balance between technology and human judgment in football, highlighting the need for accountability and transparent processes to maintain the sport’s integrity.
Key points
- VAR error in Manchester derby led to goal being awarded despite offside
- Assistant referee Matt Donohue removed from Premier League fixtures
- Former players called for referee accountability
- Pro Ref acknowledged mistake and will not assign Donohue or Antrobus until Oct 10
- Howard Webb and Dermot Gallagher discussed need for clearer guidelines
- Incident fuels debate on VAR’s role and human judgment
Frequently asked questions
Why was Matt Donohue removed from the Premier League lineup?
He failed to advise the on‑field referee to review an offside situation, leading to a wrongful goal being awarded.
What does this mean for VAR’s future?
The incident may prompt stricter protocols and potential disciplinary measures for referees involved in errors.
Will the Premier League change its VAR procedures?
Discussions are underway, but no concrete changes have been announced yet.
How long will Donohue and Antrobus be sidelined?
They are not scheduled to officiate until at least October 10, following an international break.
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