Referees admit VAR mistake over Haaland’s Manchester derby winner

Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) have admitted that allowing Erling Haaland’s goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Manchester United was an “error of judgment”.

The decision came after Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernandez won his first Manchester derby, with Haaland scoring the only goal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

City were playing with 10 men after Phil Foden was sent off for kicking Bruno Fernandes when Haaland struck on the hour. The Norway international finished from close range after Josko Gvardiol delivered the cross.

The goal was initially ruled out for offside against Haaland. However, VAR overturned the decision after determining that Haaland had been in an onside position when the ball was played.

Fernandez, who was also in an offside position, attempted to reach the cross before Haaland but did not make contact with it. The goal was therefore allowed to stand, giving Haaland his ninth league goal in Manchester derbies.

The Premier League Match Centre said on social media after the incident that VAR had established Haaland was onside and had decided Fernandez had not played the ball despite being in an offside position.

Pro Ref later issued a statement acknowledging that the officials should have taken a closer look at the Argentine midfielder’s involvement.

The refereeing body said VAR “did not recognise the likely impact” of Fernandez’s position and “should have recommended an on-field review”.

“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgment. A review of the incident will take place,” the statement added.

The decision was criticised by Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, who said after the match it was “worrying” that the officiating team had concluded Haaland’s goal should count.

Lisandro Martinez was the United defender most directly involved in the incident. He said Fernandez’s position had clearly affected him as he tried to defend the cross and described the goal as an “injustice”.

“I went to him because he was in front of me. That’s why Haaland was free at the back,” Martinez told Sky Sports.

The Argentina international also questioned how the officials had failed to identify the effect of Fernandez’s movement.

“Five or six people (officials) doing this kind of mistake in the Premier League is unacceptable,” he said.

“We have to go home with this injustice.”