By Adegboyega Adeleye Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) chief Howard Webb has explained how VAR’s “tunnel vision” contributed to the controversial decision to award Manchester City striker Erling Haaland’s winner against Manchester United in the Manchester derby. Speaking on the first edition of Match Officials Mic’d Up this season, Webb said he was “really disappointed” with the error made by VAR Matt Donohue and his assistant, Blake Antrobus.
“I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are,” said Webb, Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref’s chief refereeing officer. “None more so than the officials themselves. They take a lot of personal pride in what they do and they’re obviously hurting now, having fallen short in this situation.
“They’ll not be officiating again until after the international break.” Haaland thought he had scored the only goal of the game at Old Trafford in the 60th minute, but the effort was initially ruled out for offside by the on-field officials. However, a VAR review found Haaland was marginally onside, leading to the goal being awarded.
The controversy centred on City midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position as he attempted to reach the ball before Haaland. Although Fernandez did not touch the ball, his movement appeared to affect Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez. Pro Ref had already admitted that the decision was an “error of judgment”, saying VAR failed to recognise the likely impact of Fernandez’s position and should have recommended an on-field review.
Webb said VAR became “super-focused” on establishing whether Haaland was onside and subsequently failed to properly assess Fernandez’s involvement in the attacking phase. “The VAR gets super-focused on Haaland. He establishes he is onside but when he runs it through full APP he doesn’t truly evaluate full impact of Fernandez,” Webb said. “In that moment,