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Pro Ref Admits Error Over Haaland's Manchester Derby Winner

1 hour ago

Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref concedes a judgement error in awarding Erling Haaland's winning goal for Manchester City at Old Trafford.

The Premier League's refereeing body has admitted an "error of judgement" in allowing Erling Haaland's winning goal to stand in Manchester City's derby victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Pro Ref conceded the mistake in a statement issued the same evening as the match, following controversy over the striker's 60th-minute strike.

Haaland turned home from the back post after a cross from Josko Gvardiol, and the goal was initially disallowed on the field for offside. The video assistant referee then intervened and awarded it, ruling that the Norwegian had been played onside by the boot of United's Patrick Dorgu. The dispute centred not on Haaland's position but on Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position and dived at the ball in a more central spot inside the six-yard box.

Pro Ref accepted that Fernandez's involvement should have prompted a closer look. "It was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective," the body said. "However, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review."

The statement confirmed that officials had contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the mistake. "Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place," Pro Ref added.

United's players and staff had already voiced their anger. Defender Lisandro Martinez, who was closing in on the ball as Haaland scored, called the decision an "injustice". Manager Michael Carrick said he was "confused" by the outcome.

The winning goal capped a match full of incident. City had been reduced to 10 men in the first half when Phil Foden was shown a straight red card. Referee Michael Oliver dismissed the forward in the 23rd minute for kicking out at United captain Bruno Fernandes, catching the midfielder in the midriff while he was on the ground.

When the goal was first ruled out for offside, few objected, as Haaland had appeared to drift beyond United's defensive line. The lines drawn by the VAR then showed him level thanks to Dorgu's boot, after Gvardiol's cross had taken a slight deflection off the defender before reaching the striker at the back post. It was Fernandez's attempted diving header, and whether it interfered with play, that divided opinion among pundits.

The Premier League Match Centre set out the reasoning on X. "VAR checked the referee's call of no goal for offside - and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded," it said, adding that the VAR had also assessed Fernandez's involvement in reaching that verdict. City held on to claim the win despite playing more than an hour a man short.

Haaland derby winner, Pro Ref VAR error, Manchester derby, Manchester City, Manchester United, Phil Foden red card, Premier League VAR, Old Trafford offsid

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