VAR Officials Dropped After Manchester Derby Judgment Error
· Sports · BBC Sport, Al Jazeera
Video assistant referee Matt Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus have been omitted from Premier League fixtures this weekend following an officiating error during the Manchester derby. The decision was enforced by Pro Ref chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and the management team after acknowledging a judgment error during Manchester City's victory at Old Trafford. The controversy centers on Erling Haaland's 60th-minute winning goal, which was initially disallowed for offside before VAR overturned the decision and awarded the strike. Pro Ref admitted that the VAR failed to recommend an on-field review regarding midfielder Enzo Fernandez's offside position interfering with play. Manchester City ultimately maintained their 100 percent league record from four games despite having Phil Foden sent off.
Why it matters
Premier League officiating standards face intense scrutiny as refereeing bodies bench match officials over high-profile intervention mistakes.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
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