Red Devils Finally Get an Apology! VAR's Fatal Misjudgment Sparks Worst Officiating Scandal in Premier League Derby
The Premier League Match Officials Committee (FOC) has formally acknowledged that during Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, the video assistant referee (VAR) "incorrectly" confirmed Erling Haaland's decisive goal as valid, and has extended a formal apology to Manchester United. With the match in the 60th minute, Josko Gvardiol delivered a sharply angled cross at Old Trafford, and Haaland slotted home effortlessly from the back post inside the penalty area. The on-field referee initially ruled the goal stood, but the assistant referee immediately raised his flag for offside. However, VAR subsequently intervened, overruling the assistant referee's offside decision on the grounds that Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho had "not actually participated in or interfered with the play" near the center of the penalty area. The goal was ultimately confirmed valid.
The decision sparked intense dissatisfaction throughout Manchester United after the match. United head coach Carrick labeled the call "disturbing," while defender Lisandro Martínez did not mince words, calling it outright "unfair." The Match Officials Committee has now formally acknowledged that the decision contained an error. Public opinion widely considers this to be one of the most serious misjudgment incidents since the VAR system was introduced in 2019.
In a statement, a Match Officials Committee spokesperson detailed the incident: "Regarding the controversial situation in the 60th minute of Sunday's Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, the committee issues the following explanation on the decision to allow Haaland's goal to stand: the on-field initial ruling was offside — after VAR review, it was determined that the player was in a non-offside position at that moment. It has been confirmed that Fernandinho did not touch the ball during the same attacking move, meaning any offside ruling inherently involves an element of subjective judgment. However, in this instance, VAR failed to fully recognize that Haaland's positioning may have influenced the play, and should have recommended a on-field review (HOR). We contacted Manchester United this evening to acknowledge this as an officiating error, and a formal review of the incident will be conducted."
Numerous media outlets have sought a response from Manchester United regarding the incident. Following this match, Manchester City and Arsenal stand as the only two teams in the Premier League with an undefeated four-game start, while Manchester United's record stands at one win, one draw, and two losses, slipping to 13th place in the standings. Meanwhile, public discourse surrounding the officiating decisions in this match continues to escalate, with multiple players and members of the coaching staff within the club publicly voicing their dissatisfaction.