Erling Haaland celebrates after his goal for Manchester City at Manchester United was awarded after a VAR check
Erling Haaland’s goal was given even though Enzo Fernández (right) was in an offside position and regarded as likely to have affected the passage of play. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images
Erling Haaland’s goal was given even though Enzo Fernández (right) was in an offside position and regarded as likely to have affected the passage of play. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images

VARs who wrongly allowed Haaland’s goal at Manchester United are stood down

  • Matt Donohue and his assistant not used this weekend

  • Pro Ref said allowing winner was ‘error of judgment’

The video assistant referee officials who allowed Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday have been stood down from their responsibilities.

Matt Donohue and his assistant, Blake Antrobus, have been told by Pro Ref they have not received appointments for the next round of Premier League fixtures, due to take place next weekend.

The chief refereeing officer, Howard Webb, took the decision alongside his management team after a review of the weekend’s action. Their availability will be reconsidered after the international break.

During the Manchester derby Donohoe was called on to check the referee Michael Oliver’s decision to disallow Haaland’s 60th-minute goal for offside. Using semi-automated offside technology, Donohoe was able to establish that the Manchester City striker was onside and overturned Oliver’s call. However, the video official failed to spot that Enzo Fernández had influenced play from an offside position, an infringement which Pro Ref said should have led him to recommend an on-field review.

This is the first time officials have been made to stand down this season owing to an error. Donohoe, an EFL referee since 2018, has taken charge of three Championship matches this season alongside his VAR work. His EFL profile says he has completed Pro Ref’s “Enhanced VAR Training Programme”. Antrobus, alongside his work as an VAR, is an assistant referee in the Premier League and ran the line in each of the first three matchdays.

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Pro Ref acknowledged an “error of judgment” in the Haaland incident through a statement released on Sunday night and is understood to have contacted Manchester United to explain the mistake.

Arsenal have requested more information from Pro Ref on the decision that led to Sunderland being awarded a penalty in their fixture at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Mikel Arteta described referee John Brooks’s call as “unacceptable at this level” and Arsenal are expected to ask Pro Ref why the VAR did not intervene.