VAR officials dropped after Manchester derby controversy
The VAR officials from the Manchester derby have been dropped for the upcoming Premier League fixtures this weekend, reports BritPanorama.
Referee Matt Donohue, along with assistant Blake Antrobus, awarded a goal to Manchester City after a VAR check, despite Enzo Fernandez appearing to interfere with play while being in an offside position.
The refereeing body, Pro Ref, acknowledged an error by Donohue for not instructing referee Michael Oliver to review the decision on the pitch. The goal was initially ruled out for offside against Erling Haaland before being reinstated after a lengthy VAR review suggested Fernandez did not impede play.
Following the incident, Pro Ref issued a statement admitting the officials had made a mistake. A spokesman clarified that while the on-field decision was offside against Haaland, he was later confirmed to be onside. However, they acknowledged that the VAR did not properly assess the potential impact of Fernandez’s position during the play.
United manager Michael Carrick expressed discontent with the VAR ruling, describing it as “worrying” for football that the goal was allowed to stand. He questioned how such decisions could be made despite the various components designed to assist referees in making accurate calls.
Donohue, who made his Premier League officiating debut in May 2024, has gained prominence in the VAR booth since his promotion from the EFL’s assistant referees list in 2014. He will not oversee any fixtures this weekend, while Oliver continues his officiating duties at the Bournemouth against Liverpool match.
This incident underscores ongoing tensions regarding officiating standards in football, particularly concerning the use of technology. As debates continue regarding VAR’s effectiveness, issues raised by Carrick and others remind us how much clarity is still sought in a highly scrutinised landscape.
