WorldDraft
Pro Ref blames ‘tunnel vision’ for Manchester derby VAR error
Howard Webb says VAR focused on Erling Haaland’s position while failing to assess Enzo Fernandez’s involvement in Manchester City’s winning goal.
Event
Howard Webb admits VAR failed to assess Enzo Fernandez offside in Manchester derby
Pro Ref chief Howard Webb said VAR officials showed “tunnel vision” by focusing on Erling Haaland’s position and failing to assess Enzo Fernandez’s involvement, leading to the incorrect awarding of Haaland’s goal against Manchester United. The officials will not officiate again until after the international break.
2 published stories · var-error · source reliability 67%
Background
Why this event matters
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (Pro Ref) chief Howard Webb said VAR officials showed “tunnel vision” when reviewing Manchester City’s winning goal in the 1-0 Manchester derby victory over Manchester United. Haaland was onside, but VAR did not properly assess Enzo Fernandez’s involvement from an offside position. Pro Ref acknowledged the goal should not have been awarded and contacted Manchester United. The officials involved will not officiate until after the international break.
event-brief
Howard Webb admits VAR failed to assess Enzo Fernandez offside in Manchester derby
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (Pro Ref) chief Howard Webb said VAR officials showed “tunnel vision” when reviewing Manchester City’s winning goal in the 1-0 Manchester derby victory over Manchester United. Haaland was onside, but VAR did not properly assess Enzo Ferna
Reporting trail
Al Jazeera Global News | https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/9/16/manchester-derby-var-error-caused-by-tunnel-vision-pro-ref-chief-webb | published 2026-09-16T06:25:35.000Z | primary sourceAl Jazeera Global News | Primary supplied report containing Webb’s explanation, Pro Ref’s admission and officials’ stand-down.Event digest | Concise summary of the reported VAR error and follow-up action.BBC Sport, via retrieved context | Corroborating same-event report.Background cards | Additional context on the match and VAR decision, requiring attribution where not supported by the primary text.BBC Sport | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cv4g5rp56p55o | published 2026-09-15T16:00:16.000Z | primary sourceBBC Sport | Primary report containing Webb’s admission, VAR audio explanation and disciplinary commentsEvent digest | Concise summary of the central developmentRetrieved context: cluster summary | Confirms the story focus and high-confidence event classificationRetrieved context: background cards | Unrelated transfer background; does not substantiate this match incident
Fact cards
entity brief
Howard Webb admits VAR failed to assess Enzo Fernandez offside in Manchester derby: key people and institutions
Key entities: Howard Webb, Erling Haaland, Manchester United, Enzo Fernandez, Manchester City.
faq brief
Howard Webb admits VAR failed to assess Enzo Fernandez offside in Manchester derby: key questions
Was Haaland offside? No. Pro Ref said Haaland was onside. What was wrong with the decision? VAR did not sufficiently assess Fernandez’s offside position and possible interference. Was the goal initially disallowed? Yes. It was initially ruled offside before being overturned follo
source brief
Howard Webb admits VAR failed to assess Enzo Fernandez offside in Manchester derby: reporting sources
Al Jazeera Global News | https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/9/16/manchester-derby-var-error-caused-by-tunnel-vision-pro-ref-chief-webb | published 2026-09-16T06:25:35.000Z | primary source | Al Jazeera Global News | Primary supplied report containing Webb’s explanation, Pro Re
timeline brief
Howard Webb admits VAR failed to assess Enzo Fernandez offside in Manchester derby: timeline
Sunday: Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford after Haaland’s goal was awarded following a VAR review. Sunday: A goal initially ruled offside was overturned after VAR focused on Haaland’s position. 16 September 2026: Howard Webb said VAR failed to fully asses
Timeline
Sunday
Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford after Haaland’s goal was awarded following a VAR review.
Sunday
A goal initially ruled offside was overturned after VAR focused on Haaland’s position.
16 September 2026
Howard Webb said VAR failed to fully assess Fernandez’s possible interference and described the error as “tunnel vision”.
16 September 2026
Pro Ref stood down Matt Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus until after the international break and acknowledged the error to Manchester United.
FAQ
Was Haaland offside?
No. Pro Ref said Haaland was onside.
What was wrong with the decision?
VAR did not sufficiently assess Fernandez’s offside position and possible interference.
Was the goal initially disallowed?
Yes. It was initially ruled offside before being overturned following a VAR review.
Who criticised the decision?
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick criticised it.
What action was taken against the officials?
Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus will not officiate until after the international break.
What did Howard Webb admit?
He said VAR failed to assess whether Enzo Fernandez interfered from an offside position.
Should Manchester City’s goal have stood?
Webb said the goal should have been disallowed.
Why was Haaland’s offside position reviewed?
Semi-automated technology showed Haaland was three centimetres onside.
What action was taken against the VAR officials?
Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus will not officiate until after the international break.
What did Webb say about the other disciplinary decisions?
He backed Phil Foden’s red card and said Bruno Fernandes’s kick warranted a yellow card.