Howard Webb explains VAR error behind Manchester derby controversy

Howard Webb has admitted a “serious error” allowed Erling Haaland’s goal for Manchester City to stand in Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford, despite Bruno Fernandes being in an offside position and interfering with play.

The goal was initially disallowed after Haaland was flagged offside. However, VAR overturned the decision after semi-automated offside technology showed the City striker was onside by 3cm, with Patrick Dorgu playing him on from the far side.

Webb, who chairs the Pro Ref refereeing committee responsible for Premier League match officials, discussed the incident on the first episode of Match Officials Mic’d Up, which broadcast the audio between the officials and the VAR room.

“We felt it was important to acknowledge the error in this incident,” Webb said, according to the Premier League’s official website.

“We know Erling Haaland, who was flagged offside on the field, was not offside. But we also recognise that Bruno Fernandes was offside, clearly moved towards the ball and almost certainly interfered with Manchester United’s defence, and probably the goalkeeper as well.”

Webb said the officials involved had been deeply disappointed and would not referee matches until after the international break.

“I was very disappointed by the outcome, and everybody shares that feeling, particularly the match officials themselves,” he added. “They take great pride in their work and are hurting at the moment because of this failure.”

He also confirmed that Pro Ref had contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the mistake and explain how it happened.

“We contacted Manchester United and admitted the error, as we always do in these situations,” Webb said. “These mistakes do not happen often, but we are committed to transparency and clarity. We played the audio recordings and video footage to the club’s officials to explain exactly what happened.

“We will review the incident to understand the procedural failure that prevented us from reaching the correct decision.”

Explaining why Fernandes could be penalised despite not touching the ball, Webb said the law also covers players who interfere with an opponent or affect an action while offside.

“Bruno Fernandes did not touch the ball, so he did not commit the direct form of offside by playing it,” he said. “But the law allows a player to be penalised without making contact. As the cross arrived, we could see Fernandes clearly moving towards it and getting very close.”

Webb said that movement affected Lisandro Martinez, who was unable to challenge or clear the ball, and goalkeeper Senne Lammens, whose movement was restricted because he had to account for a possible collision with Fernandes.

When Fernandes moved past the ball, Haaland scored.

According to Webb, the VAR official became too focused on confirming Haaland’s position and failed to assess Fernandes’ wider impact. When the full replay was shown, the official checked only whether Fernandes had touched the ball before it reached Haaland.

“He suffered from what is known as tunnel vision,” Webb said. “The rest of the VAR team should have intervened and helped him out of that narrow focus, but unfortunately that did not happen.”

Webb also defended Michael Oliver’s decision to send off Phil Foden for kicking Bruno Fernandes, saying Fernandes’ own challenge warranted only a yellow card.

“Fernandes’ action was reckless rather than violent conduct,” he said. “Violent conduct requires excessive or brutal force. At normal speed, those elements were not present.”

As Oliver had seen the incident and dealt with it on the pitch, Webb said there was no basis for VAR to intervene to recommend a second dismissal.