Referees admit Manchester City’s derby-winning goal over Manchester United was a VAR ‘error’

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Old Trafford seats / Credit: Jaleel Akbash (via Unsplash)

Referees have admitted that Manchester City’s winning goal during yesterday’s Manchester derby was a VAR ‘error’.

In case you didn’t tune into the Manchester derby yesterday – which was held at Manchester United’s home ground, Old Trafford – star striker Erling Haaland’s goal handed Manchester City a 1-0 victory – in the end, even after fellow City player Phil Foden was given a straight red card and sent off in the twenty third minute.

Haaland‘s goal was initially deemed offside on the pitch, before VAR overruled the decision.

New City signing Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position as he attempted to play the ball before Haaland scored.

Fernandez appeared to impact the defending of Manchester United‘s Lisandro Martinez by attempting a diving header, despite not touching the ball.

Following the full-time whistle, United’s manager Michael Carrick said it was ‘worrying’ that the goal was allowed to stand, claiming that there was no ‘grey area’ when it came to determining whether Fernandez had interfered with play.

“It’s worrying if that’s how the game is seen by those who are officiating it,” he commented.

Pundit and former Manchester United star, Gary Neville, also expressed confusion at the decision, declaring on Sky Sports after the game: “I’m going to need the offside law explaining to me, because that has lost me, I have to say. I do think when they look back on this, they will recognise they got it wrong.”

Neville said he thinks that referee Michael Oliver will be ‘nervous’ about the goal yesterday, as will the rest of the officials.

And now, less than 24 hours after the match ended, refereeing body Pro Ref has since made what Sky Sports is calling an ‘unusual intervention by confirming that a review of the goal will take place.

A spokesperson for Pro Ref said in a statement: “It was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.

“Contact has been made with Manchester United to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement.

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“A review of the incident will take place.”

Featured Image – Jaleel Akbash (via Unsplash)

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