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Pro Ref admit “error of judgement” in awarding Haaland’s winner in Manchester derby

The Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref admit an “error of judgement” in awarding Erling Haaland’s winner in Sunday’s Manchester derby.

The Premier League Match Centre said that VAR had 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.

And for the red card, they said that the referee’s call of red card to Foden for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR.

REF: “Red card Phil Foden – kick out into the body of Bruno”.

VAR: “That looks like a clear red card to me. Looks to be a secondary movement. Confirming the red card for Manchester City No.47”.

The result leaves United 13th in the Premier League table with 4 points from their opening 4 games, while Man City are 2nd, keeping up the pressure on Arsenal, both on 12 points.

 

 

Man Utd defender Lisandro Martinez to Sky Sports: “I think [Fernandez] was offside. What I can’t understand is the rules. He was there! I went to him because he was in front of me. That’s why Haaland was free at the back.

“I want to be calm but it is so hard. Every season the officials come to our club and spend an hour explaining the rules and they look so confident with that.

“Then after, five or six people (officials) doing this kind of mistake in the Premier League is unacceptable. We have to go home with this injustice.”

Man Utd head coach Michael Carrick: “The explanation I got was that he wasn’t interfering with play. I just don’t get it, I really don’t get it.

“If that’s how the rules are interpreted, that you’re not interfering with play because you’ve thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal and pretty much nearly touched it, which then Licha [Martinez] has to react from.

“On top of that, the [offside] was a bit dubious – where we drew the line to start with. It’s worrying if that’s really how the game is seen by those who are officiating it.”

In a statement, Pro Ref said, as per BBC Sport: “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.

“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.”

The offside rule – A player is offside when interfering with an opponent by:

– preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or

– challenging an opponent for the ball or

– clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent or

– making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball

Man City’s Erling Haaland said to Sky Sports:

“I thought there was maybe someone who flicked it because I normally don’t go offside, so I told Michael Oliver I took it a bit personally that he thought I was offside!

“But I looked over to the gaffer and he gave me a thumbs up and I knew then it was a goal, so I prepared myself to go and celebrate.

“It’s always nice to win football games and I never take that for granted but, especially with 10 men at Old Trafford, it’s a difficult task. It’s so nice.”

Man City head coach Enzo Maresca:

“I think Phil Foden’s red card is a red card, but I also think that in the same action it’s a red card for Bruno Fernandes.

“I reviewed the action immediately after the red card on the bench. And it’s a clear red card for Phil, because it’s a reaction.

“But you can also see in the same action Bruno’s intention. So for me, yes, it’s a red card for Phil, but it’s also a red card for Bruno.

On Man City’s winner: “I think Erling was onside and Enzo doesn’t interfere with the action.”

Here’s how social media users reacted after Pro Ref admit an “error of judgement” in awarding Haaland’s winner in the Manchester derby…

@Chris_BoroUTB: It’s genuinely infuriating and concerning that fans sat at home can arrive at the correct decision, yet those who are highly paid and supposed to know the laws inside out can watch it multiple times and still get it wrong. VAR has in no way improved the game.

@GeorgeSmileyOBE: Imagine calling yourself a “Pro-Ref”. And not knowing the rules of Association Football.. Bit like calling yourself a chef & not knowing how to boil an egg, basics really..

@UTDlarry: Imagine on-field officials being more accurate than the VAR. What’s now the point of having a VAR

@Nathbates: Thanks a lot the apology will overturn everything 👍👍👍 Twats

@petertimmins21: There needs to be some sort of accountability for mistake after mistake and we only in game week 4, but wrong decisions can cost points, for those in the title chase and those aiming at the European qualification places. We need VAR, but those using it need to do better

@mufc_nicky: Imagine making this mistake when there is how many officials working? On top of that it’s a derby as well. One of the most important league games. An apology isn’t good enough and shouldn’t be good enough!

@LeGrove: Need to know what the consequence of this is… If a manager says something, they get a touchline ban. If a player is deemed to have done something violent, they also get banned / fined. What use is an apology? Who cares if there’s no recourse or punishment for offenders.

@ryan_surai: This is why VAR doesn’t work. How can you take that long to watch replays, and still not apply simple rules that are written down. This was an easy decision. The match should be replayed.

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