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Premier League refereeing body Professional Referees Organisation (Pro Ref) has issued a rare admission as Pro Ref Admits Error in the controversial decision to allow Erling Haaland’s winning goal for Manchester City against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The decisive moment came in the 60th minute when Erling Haaland converted from close range after a cross by Josko Gvardiol.
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The goal was initially ruled out for offside before a VAR intervention overturned the decision, awarding Manchester City the lead in a fiercely contested derby.
Subsequent review has now acknowledged that the process fell short of expectations.
Pro Ref Admits Error in failing to recommend an on-field review, particularly given the involvement of Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position and appeared to attempt to play the ball.
“It was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective,” Pro Ref said in an official statement.
“However, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.”
The organisation confirmed that contact had been made with Manchester United to acknowledge what it described as an “error of judgement”, with a full review of the incident now underway.
The incident has intensified scrutiny on VAR usage in high-stakes matches.
While the technology determined that Patrick Dorgu’s positioning kept Erling Haaland onside, the debate centred on whether Enzo Fernandez’s movement influenced play despite not making contact with the ball.
Manchester United figures reacted strongly in the aftermath. Defender Lisandro Martinez described the decision as “an injustice”, while manager Michael Carrick admitted confusion over how the situation was interpreted.
The controversy unfolded in a match already shaped by a major refereeing call earlier in the game.
Manchester City were reduced to 10 men in the 23rd minute after Phil Foden received a straight red card for a challenge on Bruno Fernandes, adding further tension to an already charged encounter.
The Premier League Match Centre initially defended the outcome, stating that VAR had determined Erling Haaland to be in an onside position and that Enzo Fernandez had not played the ball.
However, Pro Ref’s later clarification underscores the complexity of subjective offside decisions and the limitations of current interpretations.
Incidents of this nature have become part of a broader pattern in recent seasons, with clubs and supporters increasingly demanding greater transparency and consistency in officiating decisions.
Calls for improved VAR protocols have grown louder, particularly in matches with significant competitive implications.
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While the result will stand, Pro Ref Admits Error marks another pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over technology’s role in football, reinforcing the need for clearer guidelines and decisive officiating in the modern game.
