Key facts
- VAR officials failed to spot Enzo Fernandez interfering with play during Manchester City's goal against Manchester United.
- The VAR team focused on Erling Haaland's offside position, missing Fernandez's interference.
- Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at Pro Ref, admitted the error and apologized to Manchester United.
- VAR Matthew Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus have been stood down from officiating.
- Webb stated that Fernandez's actions impacted Lisandro Martinez and Senne Lammens, affecting their ability to defend.
Audio recordings of the VAR decision-making process during Manchester City's controversial goal against Manchester United have revealed that officials suffered from 'tunnel vision,' failing to properly assess the interference of Enzo Fernandez. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has since apologized to Manchester United for the error.
Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at PGMOL, admitted on Tuesday that the VAR team, including Matthew Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus, became too focused on Erling Haaland's offside position. They used semi-automated offside technology to determine that Haaland was onside by three centimeters when played, but failed to adequately evaluate the impact of Fernandez, who was in an offside position and clearly interfered with play.
Webb explained that Fernandez's actions, even without touching the ball, likely impacted Manchester United defenders Lisandro Martinez and Senne Lammens, putting them out of position. This oversight led to the goal being allowed to stand, much to the fury of Manchester United. As a consequence, Donohue and Antrobus have been stood down from officiating duties until after the international break.