Webb admits VAR missed Fernandez offside offence in Manchester derby
Referees’ chief Howard Webb said VAR officials focused on Erling Haaland’s position and failed to assess Enzo Fernandez’s interference before awarding Manchester City’s winning goal.
Referees’ chief Howard Webb has acknowledged that VAR officials failed to assess an offside offence by Enzo Fernandez before awarding Manchester City’s winning goal against Manchester United.
Erling Haaland’s 60th-minute goal at Old Trafford was initially ruled offside, but semi-automated technology showed the striker was three centimetres onside. The subsequent review checked whether Fernandez had touched the ball, but did not properly consider whether his position interfered with play.
Webb, the chief refereeing officer of Pro Ref, said the officials developed “tunnel vision” around Haaland’s offside position. He said the goal should have been disallowed and described the outcome as “really disappointing”.
VAR official Matt Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus will not officiate again until after the international break, according to Webb. Manchester City won the derby 1-0.
Webb also supported Phil Foden’s red card for kicking Bruno Fernandes in the 23rd minute. He said Fernandes’s kick warranted a yellow card rather than a dismissal, as it did not meet the threshold for violent conduct.
