Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) has acknowledged that the decision to allow Erling Haaland’s goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Manchester United was an “error of judgment”.
The controversy centred on City’s winning goal, which came in the 60th minute after Manchester United had been reduced to 10 men following Phil Foden’s dismissal for kicking Bruno Fernandes.
Haaland converted from close range after Josko Gvardiol’s cross, but the goal was initially ruled out for offside. VAR subsequently overturned the decision, despite City midfielder Enzo Fernandez being in an offside position and appearing to make an attempt to play the ball before Haaland finished.
Because Fernandez did not make contact with the ball, the goal was eventually allowed to stand.
Premier League Match Centre initially defended the decision, stating that VAR had established Haaland was onside and determined that Fernandez, although offside, had not played the ball.
Pro Ref later admitted that the VAR team had failed to properly assess Fernandez’s influence on the play and should have sent the referee to the pitch-side monitor for a review.
“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgment. A review of the incident will take place,” Pro Ref said in a statement.
The decision drew strong criticism from United manager Michael Carrick, who described it as “worrying” that a group of officials had concluded the goal should be awarded.
United defender Lisandro Martinez was particularly critical of the decision, arguing that Fernandez’s position directly affected his ability to defend Haaland.
Martinez explained that he moved towards Fernandez because the City midfielder was positioned in front of him, leaving Haaland unmarked behind him.
“I went to him because he was in front of me. That’s why Haaland was free at the back,” Martinez told Sky Sports.
The Argentine international also questioned how such a mistake could occur despite the number of officials involved in reviewing Premier League matches.
“Five or six people (officials) doing this kind of mistake in the Premier League is unacceptable,” he said.
Martinez described the outcome as an “injustice”, adding: “We have to go home with this injustice.”
The result saw Haaland score his ninth league goal in Manchester derbies, but the late admission from Pro Ref has ensured that the controversial decision remains a major talking point following the match.
