Refereeing body admits judgement error over Haaland derby winner

The Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref has admitted an "error of judgement" in awarding Erling Haaland's Manchester City winner against Manchester United.

As City celebrated a remarkable derby victory over Manchester United, there were questions as to whether Haaland's winning goal should have stood in a match fraught with controversy.

The striker scored in the 60th minute at Old Trafford, turning home at the back post from Josko Gvardiol's cross before it was disallowed on the field for offside.

Following intervention from the video assistant referee, the goal was awarded - the Norwegian ruled to have been played onside by Patrick Dorgu's boot.

But there was debate as to whether the offside Enzo Fernandez, diving at the ball in a more central position than Haaland, was interfering with play.

In a statement, Pro Ref said: "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."

United defender Lisandro Martinez said it was an "injustice" while boss Michael Carrick said he was "confused" by the decision.

The goal came after City had gone down to 10 men in the first half when Phil Foden was shown a straight red card for kicking out at United captain Bruno Fernandes.

Foden was dismissed by referee Michael Oliver on 23 minutes after kicking the midriff of Fernandes while he was on the turf.

Haaland's winning goal - why is it controversial?

When Haaland's goal was ruled out as offside on the field, few questioned the decision as the City striker looked to have drifted beyond United's defensive line.

The lines drawn by the VAR showed Haaland to be onside thanks to Dorgu's boot. But it was the positioning and involvement of Fernandez that left many pundits astounded and unsure if it was a legitimate goal.

Gvardiol's cross took a slight deflection off the boot of Dorgu before finding its way to Haaland at the back post, while Fernandez was clearly attempting a diving header in the middle of the six-yard box but he did not touch the ball.

Fernandez appeared to be in an offside position, ahead of Dorgu's boot, but VAR deemed it to be a legitimate goal as he did not touch the ball while United defender Martinez was also closing in.

The Premier League Match Centre said on X: "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."

A clear VAR mistake - analysis

Dale Johnson, BBC Sport football issues correspondent

The curiosity about this incident is that the goal was initially disallowed for the wrong reason. Haaland was flagged offside when he shouldn't have been.

But as it turned out, the goal should have been ruled out because Fernandez was offside.

There is one key part of the offside law which applies to Fernandez here. A player is offside if they are:

"Clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent."

Both parts of that clause must be met. It is possible for a player in an offside position to attempt to play a ball and not commit an offence – there must be impact on an opponent too.

As the ball came in, Fernandez threw himself to try to head it, with Martinez directly behind him.

Video assistant referee Matt Donohue should ask himself if Fernandez's action would have influenced Martinez.

In other words: If Fernandez had not jumped for the attempted header, would Martinez have made a different decision over playing the ball?

If the ball had been out of reach for Fernandez, or for Martinez, then there is an argument to give the goal.

And also: There would have been no offside had Fernandez made no attempt to play the ball.

But he did. And as it went just a yard in front of Martinez too, it is very difficult to argue Fernandez did not commit an offside offence.

There is also an argument that the actions of Fernandez influence the positioning of goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

However, the goal was originally ruled out for offside against Haaland - which was incorrect. So that decision had to be overturned.

And then, the VAR should have sent referee Michael Oliver to the monitor for the subjective offence by Fernandez.