Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby was an “error of judgement”, Pro Ref has confirmed.
The Norwegian was initially deemed offside, but after a VAR check, the City striker was ruled onside, with question marks raised about Enzo Fernandez’s influence.
The Argentine, who was in an offside position, appeared to go for a diving header but did not touch the ball.
Despite Lisandro Martinez appearing to be influenced by his compatriot’s action, the goal stood, and 10-man City won the derby 1-0.
Pro Ref has admitted that the officials made an error and the goal should have been reviewed on-field.
A Pro Ref spokesman said: “Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland’s awarded goal.
“The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR, and he was found to be in an onside position.
“In the same attack, 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.
Erling Haaland’s winning goal has been deemed an ‘error of judgement’ by Pro Ref
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GETTY
“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”
United boss Michael Carrick hit out at the VAR decision, saying it is “worrying” for football that the goal was able to stand.
He said: “The explanation I got was he wasn’t interfering with play. I just don’t get it, I really don’t get it.
“I can’t understand how we are trying to help referees – putting so many layers behind them, so many people, so many bodies, so many screens and so many offices – to try to come up with the right decisions.
Michael Carrick hit out at the decision
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“If that’s how the rule is interpreted, that you’re not interfering with play because you have thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal and pretty much nearly touched it, it’s worrying if that’s how the game is seen by those who are officiating it.”
The Premier League Match Centre released an initial statement explaining the decision on social media, reading: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded.
“The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball.”
The offside ruling is determined by four factors.
Erling Haaland’s goal saw City pick up all three points | PAA player is offside when they interfere with an opponent by preventing them from playing or being able to play the ball, or by clearly obstructing their line of vision.
They can be offside by challenging an opponent for the ball or clearly trying to play the ball in close proximity to an opponent, affecting their actions.
A player can also be offside for making a clear and obvious move that impacts an opponent’s ability to play the ball.
Despite this ruling, the VAR team of Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus intervened, with Michael Oliver awarding the goal.
