The Premier League is conducting a comprehensive review following a high-profile error involving the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the Manchester derby on September 13. The incident saw Erling Haaland’s winning goal for Manchester City in their 1-0 victory over Manchester United allowed to stand despite Enzo Fernández being offside and interfering with play.
League officials acknowledged the mistake, with refereeing chief Howard Webb describing it as an “error of judgment.” The VAR officials responsible for the decision, Matt Donohue and his assistant Blake Antrobus, have been temporarily stood down from their duties. In advance of the league’s shareholders’ meeting, a document distributed to clubs confirmed that Pro Ref, the professional referees’ organisation, is undertaking a full review of the incident, with findings to be considered by the Premier League and immediate lessons implemented.
While some clubs have welcomed the league's transparency and the formal acknowledgment of the VAR shortcomings, others have expressed surprise at the renewed focus on an issue they felt was resolved swiftly. The league’s communication described the early-season officiating as otherwise positive but noted that the VAR error had overshadowed this start.
The fallout from the derby VAR controversy has also resurfaced concerns among other teams. Following Fulham’s 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage, head coach Álvaro Arbeloa suggested in a post-match interview that officials might hold a bias in favour of Manchester United, attributing this to the aftermath of the derby incident. Arbeloa stated, “I knew after the game [on September 13] against Manchester City that they don’t like Manchester United to lose.”
This is not the first time the Premier League has confronted significant VAR challenges. A similar controversy occurred in September 2023 during a match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. There, a breakdown in communication between VAR official Darren England and referee Simon Hooper led to a goal being incorrectly disallowed. A misinterpretation of the on-field decision and VAR advice resulted in a significant human error that prompted the introduction of new VAR protocols to prevent a recurrence.
The current situation highlights ongoing debates about the consistency and reliability of VAR decisions in English football. The Premier League’s forthcoming discussions with senior club representatives in London, scheduled ahead of the shareholders' meeting, are expected to address these concerns and evaluate improvements to VAR processes to restore confidence in officiating standards.