A VAR mistake allowed Erling Haaland’s goal to stand in the Manchester derby, even after an offside flag was raised. According to Football | The Guardian, video assistant referee Matt Donohue failed to correctly apply the semi-automated offside system, overturning the on-field assistant’s decision.
Donohue reviewed the play after City scored, concluding that Haaland was onside under the newer technology-based process. However, Pro Ref later confirmed the call was incorrect because Enzo Fernández was in an offside position when the ball was played. The error did not change the final result, but it highlights ongoing inconsistencies in how VAR interventions are carried out across high-profile matches.
Key Facts
- VAR referee Matt Donohue admitted to a VAR mistake.
- Erling Haaland’s goal was incorrectly allowed to stand.
- Enzo Fernández was flagged for offside by the assistant referee.
- Pro Ref confirmed the decision should not have stood.
What Went Wrong
The assistant referee initially flagged for offside when the goal was scored, triggering an automatic VAR check. Donohue used a semi-automated system to determine Haaland was onside and instructed the referee to award the goal. This decision contradicted the manual review process, which should have identified Fernández’s offside position before the pass reached Haaland.
Who Is Affected
All teams are affected when crucial calls go unpunished, especially in tightly contested derbies. Referees rely heavily on technology like the semi-automated offside system to ensure fairness, but human oversight still plays a key role in final determinations. Donohue’s VAR mistake raises broader concerns about training standards and consistency among officials this season.
How Did We Get Here?
VAR was introduced to reduce errors, but its implementation remains controversial. The semi-automated system provides visual evidence, yet referees are required to interpret the data manually rather than having automatic enforcement. In this case, the combination of flawed interpretation and lack of correction led to a pivotal VAR mistake being embedded into the match record.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- The goal initially flagged for offside was reviewed by VAR.
- Matt Donohue determined Haaland was onside using semi-automated tools.
- Pro Ref later stated the VAR mistake should not have stood.
Still unconfirmed:
- Exact time of the goal during the match.
- Details of Haaland’s positioning relative to Fernández.
- Whether disciplinary action will follow against Donohue.
Why It Matters
Public trust depends on consistent officiating, particularly in elite competitions where margins are slim. VAR mistake incidents fuel debate about whether technology should make decisions automatically instead of relying solely on human judgment.
What To Watch
Officials may face increased scrutiny as leagues assess whether further reforms are needed to prevent similar VAR mistake occurrences going forward.