Pro Ref admits VAR error on Haaland derby winner — SkimNews
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- Pro Ref admitted an "error of judgement" after the VAR failed to recommend an on-field review for Enzo Fernandez's offside position during Haaland's 60th-minute winner at Old Trafford, and contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the mistake.
- Haaland turned home Josko Gvardiol's cross from the back post after initially being flagged offside, with VAR ruling him onside via a deflection off Patrick Dorgu's boot before the goal was awarded.
- BBC Sport's Dale Johnson analyzed the incident as "a clear offside offence by Fernandez" who was "clearly attempting to play a ball" while diving for a header directly in front of defender Lisandro Martinez, concluding "it will go down as a VAR mistake."
- Lisandro Martinez called the decision an "injustice" while United boss Michael Carrick said he was "confused," with Gary Neville predicting on Sky Sports that "we'll see some sort of apology from the referee's association."
- Phil Foden was shown a straight red card in the 23rd minute for kicking Bruno Fernandes while on the ground, with replays showing Fernandes kicked Foden first; pundits including Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney were divided on whether the dismissal was warranted.
Why it matters: The refereeing body's public admission of a VAR mistake in a marquee Manchester derby hands Manchester United a formal grievance and intensifies scrutiny of how subjective "impact on an opponent" clauses are applied in offside reviews — a protocol issue that, per BBC analysis, has previously affected Arsenal vs Brentford in 2023.
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