The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has taken action following a controversial goal by Erling Haaland in the Manchester derby. The organization has excluded two video assistant referees from officiating duties after acknowledging an error in the decision to award the goal.
PGMOL Statement and Referee Exclusion
In a statement, the PGMOL admitted that the video technology made a mistake in allowing Haaland’s goal to stand. As a result, referee chief Howard Webb and his team decided to exclude the two officials involved. Neither referee is expected to return to their duties before the end of the international break at the earliest.
Details of the Incident
During the second half of the match, Haaland’s goal was initially disallowed for offside. However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, and the goal was awarded. The review concluded that the Norwegian striker was not in an offside position.
Later, the PGMOL clarified that the VAR team failed to consider the impact of Haaland’s teammate, Enzo Fernandez, who attempted to play the ball from an offside position. This oversight should have resulted in the original on-field decision being upheld.
Consequences and Next Steps
The exclusion of the two video officials underscores the seriousness of the error. The PGMOL’s decision reflects a commitment to accountability and maintaining the integrity of officiating. The referees will not be assigned to any matches until after the international break, at the earliest.
The incident has sparked discussions about the use of VAR and its impact on the game. The PGMOL continues to review and improve its processes to avoid similar mistakes in the future.