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Pro Ref admits VAR error over Haaland’s Manchester derby winner
Professional Game Referees said VAR should have recommended an on-field review after failing to assess Enzo Fernandez’s likely interference.
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Event
Pro Ref admits error in awarding Manchester City’s winner against Manchester United
Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford after Erling Haaland’s winning goal was awarded following a VAR review. The goal should have remained disallowed because City’s Enzo Fernandez was offside and impacted play. Pro Ref admitted an “error of judgment”, saying VAR failed to recognise the likely impact of Fernandez’s position.
3 published stories · football · source reliability 67%
Sport
Pro Ref admits VAR error over Manchester City’s derby winner
Professional Game Referees said VAR should have recommended an on-field review of Erling Haaland’s goal in Manchester City’s 1–0 win over Manchester United.
Sport
Pro Ref admits VAR error over Haaland’s Manchester derby winner
The refereeing body said VAR should have recommended an on-field review over Enzo Fernandez’s likely interference in Manchester City’s 1–0 win at Old Trafford.
Background
Why this event matters
Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) admitted VAR made an “error of judgment” in awarding Erling Haaland’s winning goal during Manchester City’s 1–0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Haaland was onside, but teammate Enzo Fernandez was offside and Pro Ref said his likely impact on play was not sufficiently assessed. VAR should have recommended an on-field review.
event-brief
Pro Ref admits error in awarding Manchester City’s winner against Manchester United
Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) admitted VAR made an “error of judgment” in awarding Erling Haaland’s winning goal during Manchester City’s 1–0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Haaland was onside, but teammate Enzo Fernandez was offside and Pro Ref said his likely
Reporting trail
Sky Sports | https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13585716/erling-haalands-goal-for-man-city-against-man-utd-was-a-mistake-but-why-did-it-happen | published Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:10:00 BST | primary sourceSky Sports | Primary report detailing Pro Ref’s admission, the VAR process and unresolved questionsEvent digest | Concise summary of the confirmed match result and refereeing errorRetrieved context: same-event reports | Corroborates that Pro Ref said VAR should have recommended an on-field reviewYahoo Sports | https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/article/premier-league-refereeing-body-admits-an-error-of-judgement-in-man-citys-game-winning-goal-over-manchester-united-003804471.html | published 2026-09-14T00:38:04.000Z | primary sourceYahoo Sports | Primary supplied report, including Pro Ref’s statement and match detailsEvent digest | Concise account of the admitted VAR error and planned reviewSky Sports, via retrieved context | Independent same-event corroborationBBC Sport, via historical context | Background confirmation of the controversial 1–0 resultSky Sports | https://www.skysports.com/football/news/33694/13585607/erling-haaland-s-man-city-goal-decision-vs-man-utd-an-error-of-judgement-says-pro-ref | published Sun, 13 Sep 2026 21:00:00 BST | primary sourceSky Sports | Reports Pro Ref’s admission, the VAR sequence and reactions from Richards and Keane.Event digest | Concisely confirms the central development and key parties.Historical context | Provides background on the earlier VAR review and Manchester derby, but is not new reporting.
Fact cards
entity brief
Pro Ref admits error in awarding Manchester City’s winner against Manchester United: key people and institutions
Key entities: Erling Haaland, Manchester City, Manchester United, Pro Ref, Professional Game Referees.
faq brief
Pro Ref admits error in awarding Manchester City’s winner against Manchester United: key questions
Was Haaland offside? No. Pro Ref said Haaland was onside. What was wrong with the decision? Fernandez’s offside position and possible interference were not sufficiently assessed. What should VAR have done? Recommended an on-field review for the referee to judge possible interfere
source brief
Pro Ref admits error in awarding Manchester City’s winner against Manchester United: reporting sources
Sky Sports | https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13585716/erling-haalands-goal-for-man-city-against-man-utd-was-a-mistake-but-why-did-it-happen | published Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:10:00 BST | primary source | Sky Sports | Primary report detailing Pro Ref’s admission, the VA
timeline brief
Pro Ref admits error in awarding Manchester City’s winner against Manchester United: timeline
Match day: Haaland’s goal was initially disallowed for offside. Match day: VAR overturned the decision and Manchester City won 1–0. 14 September 2026: Pro Ref admitted an error of judgment and said the incident would be reviewed.
Timeline
Match day
Haaland’s goal was initially disallowed for offside.
Match day
VAR overturned the decision and Manchester City won 1–0.
14 September 2026
Pro Ref admitted an error of judgment and said the incident would be reviewed.
FAQ
Was Haaland offside?
No. Pro Ref said Haaland was onside.
What was wrong with the decision?
Fernandez’s offside position and possible interference were not sufficiently assessed.
What should VAR have done?
Recommended an on-field review for the referee to judge possible interference.
Did the referee overturn the goal?
No. The goal was awarded after VAR’s review.
How long did the review take?
Almost four minutes, according to Sky Sports.
Was Erling Haaland offside?
No. Pro Ref said Haaland was onside.
What was the issue with the goal?
Pro Ref said VAR did not sufficiently scrutinise Enzo Fernandez’s position and its possible influence on play.
Should the goal have been overturned?
No on-field review overturned it; Pro Ref said VAR should have recommended a review.
What was the match result?
Manchester City won 1–0.
Did Manchester City play with 10 men?
Yes. Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute.
What error did Pro Ref acknowledge?
It said VAR failed to recognise Fernandez’s likely interference while offside and should have recommended a review.
Did Fernandez touch the ball?
No. The Premier League Match Centre previously said he was not penalised because he did not play it.
Why was the decision disputed?
Micah Richards and Roy Keane said Fernandez was attempting to play the ball and affected Manchester United’s defence.
What happens next?
Pro Ref said Manchester United had been contacted and the incident would be reviewed.