In a rare move, the refereeing body Pro Ref has acknowledged a mistake in the Manchester derby, admitting that VAR incorrectly interpreted the involvement of Manchester City’s Enzo Fernández in the build-up to Erling Haaland’s goal. The admission, reported by journalist Ben Jacobs on X, has ignited fresh debate over the use of video technology in top-flight football.
The Controversial Goal
During Sunday’s match, Erling Haaland scored the only goal of the game. However, the goal was surrounded by controversy due to a potential offside in the build-up. According to Pro Ref’s statement, Fernández was in an offside position and should have been deemed interfering with play. The VAR failed to correctly assess his role and location, and the on-field referee should have been advised to review the incident on the monitor.
Pro Ref’s Admission
In a statement quoted by Ben Jacobs, Pro Ref said: “We contacted Manchester United this evening to acknowledge the error. An investigation into the incident will be conducted.” This admission is highly unusual, as the Premier League and Pro Ref typically refrain from commenting on officiating mistakes, especially in high-profile matches.
Match Context
The match, held on Sunday, ended in a victory for Manchester City. From the 23rd minute, City played with ten men after one of their players was sent off. Despite the numerical disadvantage, they held on to win, with Haaland’s goal proving decisive.
Rare Precedent
This acknowledgment of a mistake is a rare precedent in the Premier League. Usually, the league and Pro Ref maintain silence on refereeing errors, particularly in major fixtures. The admission is expected to fuel widespread debate about the use of VAR and its impact on match outcomes.
Implications for VAR
The incident raises questions about the consistency and accuracy of VAR decisions. It also highlights the pressure on refereeing bodies to be transparent about errors. As the investigation proceeds, many will be watching to see if this leads to changes in how VAR is applied in critical moments.