Haaland’s Manchester Derby Winner: Pro Ref Admits VAR Error

Pro Ref has acknowledged an “error of judgement” in the decision to award Erling Haaland’s winning goal against Manchester United, admitting that VAR should have recommended an on-field review of Enzo Fernández’s involvement. 

Haaland’s 60th-minute finish secured a 1–0 victory for 10-man Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, 13 September after phil foden’s first half red card. The goal was initially disallowed for offside before VAR overturned the decision, but Fernández’s attempt to reach the ball became the central issue in the controversy. 

Why Haaland’s Goal Was Awarded

The initial review established that Haaland was onside, with Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu keeping the striker in a legal position. However, Fernández was in an offside position when he attempted to play the ball before it reached Haaland at the back post. Although the midfielder made no contact, his movement appeared to affect Lisandro Martínez’s defending. 

The Premier League Match Centre’s explanation focused on two findings: Haaland was onside, and Fernández had not touched the ball. VAR therefore recommended awarding the goal. The disputed element was whether Fernández’s actions interfered with Martínez, rather than whether the City midfielder made contact with the delivery. 

Pro Ref Acknowledges Missed Review

In its statement after the match, Pro Ref accepted that the assessment of Fernández’s involvement had been insufficient. Because the midfielder did not play the ball, the officials needed to consider the subjective question of whether he had interfered with an opponent. The body said VAR had failed to recognise the likely impact of his position and “should have recommended an on-field review”. 

Pro Ref also confirmed that it had contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the mistake and would review the incident. Its explanation identified the failure to refer that subjective offside question to the referee for a pitchside assessment. 

Why a Player Can Be Offside Without Touching the Ball

Under IFAB’s Law 11, being in an offside position is not an offence by itself. However, a player can commit an offside offence without touching the ball if they become involved in active play by interfering with an opponent. 

That includes challenging an opponent for the ball or clearly attempting to play a nearby ball when the action affects an opponent. An obvious action that clearly affects an opponent’s ability to play the ball can also constitute interference, as can clearly obstructing an opponent’s line of vision in a way that prevents them from playing it. 

The distinction matters in this incident. Establishing that Fernández missed the ball did not, by itself, establish that he committed no offside offence. The remaining question was whether his attempt to reach it affected Martínez in a way covered by the law. 

Why an On-Field Review Was Appropriate

IFAB’s VAR protocol distinguishes between factual decisions and subjective assessments. A player’s offside position can generally be resolved through a VAR-only review. Assessing interference from an offside position is different: the protocol identifies an on-field review as appropriate for that type of subjective decision. 

In practical terms, the review needed to address two separate questions: where Haaland was positioned and whether Fernández’s actions constituted an offence. Confirming that the scorer was onside answered the first question but did not settle the second. A pitchside review would have allowed the referee to assess the potential interference before making the final decision. 

City emerged with the victory, but Pro Ref’s subsequent admission acknowledged that the decisive incident had not received the on-field assessment it required.