The Manchester derby VAR team will not be on duty this weekend. Video assistant referee Matt Donohue and his assistant VAR Blake Antrobus have not been appointed for any Premier League fixture, a decision taken by Pro Ref chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and the management team. It follows Pro Ref admitting an ‘error of judgement’ in awarding Erling Haaland’s winning goal for 10-man Manchester City at Manchester United on Sunday.
What happened at Old Trafford
Erling Haaland scored the only goal of the derby in the 60th minute, turning in a shot at the back post at Old Trafford. Manchester City, reduced to 10 men, held on to beat their rivals. The goal stood on the day, but Pro Ref has since accepted the VAR review was an error of judgement.
The issue is not Haaland’s finish but the checking process behind it. In a fixture of this magnitude, a single review decides the match and puts the whole refereeing structure under scrutiny.
Why Donohue and Antrobus have been stood down
Leaving Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus off this weekend’s list is a direct call from Howard Webb and Pro Ref’s management team. It has become standard practice in the Premier League for a VAR involved in a publicly acknowledged error to miss the following round while the decision is reviewed.
Pro Ref’s willingness to admit the mistake quickly is in keeping with the more open approach Webb has pushed since taking charge of Premier League refereeing, including explaining key decisions publicly.
What it means for City, United and the Premier League
The result stands: Manchester City keep the three points and Manchester United the defeat. There is no mechanism in Premier League rules to replay or overturn a match because of a VAR error.
For United, the admission will sting but changes nothing in the table. For the Premier League, it is another test of confidence in VAR at a time when consistency of reviews remains the biggest complaint from managers, players and supporters.
FAQ
Why are the Manchester derby VAR officials not working this weekend?
Pro Ref admitted an error of judgement in awarding Erling Haaland’s winning goal. Howard Webb and the management team decided not to appoint Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus for this weekend’s fixtures.
Who scored the disputed goal?
Erling Haaland, in the 60th minute, turning in a shot at the back post for 10-man Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Can the derby result be overturned?
No. Premier League rules do not allow a match to be replayed or a result changed because of a VAR error.
Who is Howard Webb?
Howard Webb is Pro Ref’s chief refereeing officer, in charge of Premier League match officials. He refereed the 2010 World Cup final.
Is it normal for a VAR to be dropped after an error?
Yes. It has become common practice in the Premier League for a VAR involved in an acknowledged mistake to miss the following round of fixtures.
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