VAR Officials Stood Down After Haaland Goal Error at Manchester United 2026

VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus have been stood down after wrongly allowing Erling Haaland's goal in the Manchester derby at Manchester United on Sunday. The decision, made by Pro Ref, means the pair will not officiate in the next round of Premier League fixtures.

Why Were the VAR Officials Stood Down?

During the match, Donohue was asked to review referee Michael Oliver's decision to disallow Haaland's 60th-minute goal for offside. Using semi-automated offside technology, Donohue determined that Haaland was onside and overturned Oliver's call. However, the video official failed to spot that Enzo Fernández had influenced play from an offside position—an infringement that should have led to an on-field review.

Pro Ref acknowledged the error on Sunday, stating: "Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgment."

The Role of Howard Webb and Pro Ref

Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb made the decision to stand down Donohue and Antrobus alongside his management team after reviewing the weekend's action. Their availability will be reconsidered after the international break.

This incident highlights the intense scrutiny Premier League officials face, especially in high-stakes matches like the Manchester derby.

Impact on the Premier League Title Race

The decision to allow Haaland's goal proved crucial, as Manchester City went on to win the match. The error could have significant implications for the Premier League title race, with Manchester United dropping points in a contentious manner.

United fans and pundits alike have expressed frustration over the mistake, calling for greater accountability and transparency in refereeing decisions. The background to this story is set out in Deb Haaland Poised to Make History as First Native American Female.

Key Takeaways

• VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus have been stood down for the next round of Premier League fixtures.
• The error involved failing to spot Enzo Fernández's offside interference in the build-up to Haaland's goal.
• Pro Ref admitted the mistake and contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the error.
• Howard Webb and his team made the decision after a review of the weekend's action.
• The officials' availability will be reassessed after the international break.

Comparison of Refereeing Decisions

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