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Manchester United have been told that Erling Haaland’s controversial goal for Manchester City in Sunday’s Premier League derby should have been disallowed, after Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) admitted an error in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) process.
The clarification follows a controversial incident in the 60th minute of the Premier League match between the two Manchester clubs at Old Trafford, where Haaland scored a goal that sparked debate over Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández’s involvement in the build-up.
The PGMOL, the body responsible for referees in English professional football, subsequently contacted Manchester United to acknowledge what it described as an “error of judgement” in its handling of the incident. Project reports
The admission is likely to intensify scrutiny of the use of VAR in the Premier League, particularly after the technology was introduced to reduce major refereeing errors and provide referees with an additional mechanism to review controversial decisions.
Offside decision on the pitch overturned
According to PGMOL, the initial decision of the on-field referees was to declare Haaland offside.
However, the incident was examined by VAR, who ruled that the Manchester City striker was in a playing position when the ball was played.
That assessment meant the original offside decision was overturned, allowing Haaland’s goal to stand.
However, the PGMOL said a separate element of the same attacking move was not adequately considered during the VAR review.
The refereeing body explained that Fernández did not actually play the ball during the sequence, so the question of whether his position constituted an offside offense became subjective.
It was this aspect of the incident that PGMOL said VAR failed to adequately recognise.
VAR did not recommend on-field review
In its explanation, the PGMOL acknowledged that VAR should have considered the likely impact of Fernández’s position on the game and recommended that the referee conduct an on-pitch review.
The body said the VAR official did not recognize the likely impact of the player’s position and therefore did not recommend the review.
The statement effectively acknowledged that the correct procedure should have involved the referee reviewing the incident again before making the final decision on whether Haaland’s goal was valid.
PGMOL said the failure constituted an error of judgment.
“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we believe to be an error of judgment. A review of the incident will take place,” the refereeing body said.
The admission means Manchester United have now received an official explanation from the refereeing authorities regarding one of the derby’s most controversial moments.
Because Fernández’s position was important
The controversy did not simply focus on Haaland’s position but on the role played by Fernández in the offensive action.
While Haaland was ultimately determined to be in an onside position, Fernández’s presence became significant due to his proximity to the play and the potential impact of his position on Manchester United’s defence.
PGMOL explained that because Fernández did not touch or play the ball, determining whether his stance constituted an offside offense was subjective.
This distinction is important under the rules of the game, as a player can be penalized for an offside infringement even without touching the ball if his position interferes with an opponent or he is otherwise involved in active play.
The refereeing authority therefore considered that the incident required a more in-depth assessment rather than simply confirming Haaland’s onside position.
Manchester United have provided an official explanation
The admission represents a major development for Manchester United, who had reason to question the decision after the target was confirmed.
Instead of dismissing the dispute as a matter of interpretation, the PGMOL has now formally acknowledged that the VAR process should have been handled differently.
The body’s decision to contact the club also underlines the seriousness with which it treats the incident.
While the admission cannot alter the outcome of the match or retroactively remove the goal from the official score, it provides confirmation that the refereeing process was not up to the required standards.
The incident is also expected to be part of PGMOL’s internal review of the match.
The VAR controversy is back in the spotlight
The latest controversy is likely to reignite the wider debate over VAR in English football.
The technology was introduced to help referees make more accurate decisions in key incidents involving goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity.
However, critics have often questioned the consistency with which VAR officials interpret subjective incidents.
Sunday’s derby incident provides another example of the difficulty involved in separating factual decisions, such as determining a player’s position, from subjective judgments regarding interference and impact.
In this case, VAR ruled that Haaland was onside but, according to the PGMOL, did not adequately assess whether Fernández’s position had influenced the game.
The refereeing body has now accepted that the incident warranted an on-field review.
The result remains unchanged
Despite the admission, the outcome of the Manchester derby will not change.
The goal remains in the official match report, while the subsequent clarification from the PGMOL aims to explain the refereeing error and not alter the result.
The incident however provides another talking point from a fiercely contested Manchester derby and places further focus on the responsibilities of VAR officials in subjective situations.
For Manchester United, the accolade offers official confirmation that concerns about the goal were well-founded, even if it cannot provide a sporting remedy after the final whistle.
For the PGMOL, the incident will now undergo a formal review as the organization seeks to establish why the VAR official did not recommend an on-field review despite the subjective nature of Fernández’s involvement.
The admission is therefore likely to keep the debate about VAR and refereeing standards alive in the Premier League well beyond the Manchester derby.
