Manchester, Sep 14 (V7N)- The Premier League’s refereeing body, Pro Ref, has admitted an error in the handling of Erling Haaland’s goal during the Manchester derby, saying the goal should not have been disallowed for Haaland’s offside position but should ultimately have been ruled out because of Enzo Fernández’s involvement.

Manchester City secured a memorable derby victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, but the biggest controversy surrounded Haaland’s 60th-minute goal.

Haaland connected with Joško Gvardiol’s cross at the far post. Referee Michael Oliver initially ruled out the goal for offside, but a VAR review showed that Haaland was actually onside, with United defender Patrick Dorgu’s boot playing him on. The decision was subsequently overturned and the goal was awarded.

However, Fernández, who was positioned closer to the centre than Haaland, was in an offside position and made an attempt to head the ball. Although he did not touch it, questions arose over whether his movement affected United defender Lisandro Martínez.

Pro Ref said Fernández’s failure to touch the ball meant his offside position required a judgment on whether he had interfered with an opponent. The refereeing body acknowledged that VAR failed to properly assess the potential impact of his movement on Martínez.

According to Pro Ref, the referee should have been advised to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor. The organization has contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the error, with the incident also set to undergo further review.

Why should the goal have been disallowed?

BBC Sport football analyst Dale Johnson explained that the controversy stemmed from the initial offside decision being made against the wrong player.

While Haaland was onside, Fernández was in an offside position and made a clear attempt to play the nearby ball. Under the offside law, such an action can constitute an offence if it impacts an opponent’s ability to play the ball.

As Gvardiol’s cross came toward the far post, Fernández dived toward the ball while Martínez was positioned directly behind him. VAR should therefore have considered whether Fernández’s movement influenced Martínez’s ability to defend against Haaland.

The assessment suggests that without Fernández’s attempt to play the ball, there would have been no offside offence. Given that the ball passed close to Martínez, however, his movement could reasonably have affected the defender’s decision-making.

For that reason, VAR should have recommended that Oliver review the incident at the pitch-side monitor. Pro Ref said such a review would have been the correct procedure and could have resulted in the goal being disallowed.

Manchester United Left Frustrated

Manchester United were understandably frustrated because Haaland’s goal ultimately proved decisive in the derby.

Martínez described the decision as “unfair” and argued that Fernández had been in an offside position. He also questioned why refereeing decisions could remain inconsistent despite officials regularly visiting clubs to explain changes and interpretations of the laws.

United head coach Michael Carrick also expressed surprise, questioning whether the interpretation of what constitutes “interfering with play” could set a problematic precedent.

Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, said Fernández’s movement appeared to influence Martínez and that the midfielder was offside.

Former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy similarly argued that Martínez could have tracked Haaland if Fernández had not made the run, while suggesting that the movement could also have affected the goalkeeper’s positioning.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville also said the refereeing body could be expected to apologize, arguing that VAR should have recognized Fernández’s attempt to play the ball and its potential impact on Martínez.

Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca, however, defended the decision and insisted that Haaland’s goal was valid.

“It looked clearly onside to me. So, for us, it is a legitimate goal,” Maresca said.

END/SMA/AJ