Manchester City’s derby victory at Old Trafford has brought a familiar post-match consequence: the VAR officials involved have been left off next weekend’s Premier League appointments.
City derby call puts officials out of the picture
Matt Donohue, who operated as the video assistant referee for Sunday’s 1-0 win over Manchester United, has not been selected for any Premier League match in the coming round.
Blake Antrobus, the assistant VAR on duty for the derby, has also been omitted. Howard Webb and his refereeing team made the decision, with neither official expected to be back in service before the international break at the earliest.
| Match | Key moment | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City | 60th minute | Erling Haaland goal allowed after VAR review |
In the dressing room
Haaland’s decisive goal was first ruled out for offside before a video review overturned the on-field call, judging the Norwegian forward to have been in a legal position.
The professional refereeing body later accepted that the review had made an error. It said the VAR process had not properly accounted for Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernández, who attempted to play the ball while standing in an offside position.
That missed element meant the goal should not have been confirmed, leaving the derby’s only goal at the centre of the latest examination of VAR’s lines, angles and intervention.
The week ahead
City keep the three points from the 1-0 derby win, while Donohue and Antrobus will spend the next Premier League weekend away from the appointment list. The international break should provide the usual pause for review, though it will do little to soften the argument over a decision that settled a Manchester derby.
SEO Title: Manchester City derby VAR officials omitted after Haaland goal error
SEO Description: VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus have not received Premier League appointments after the wrongly allowed Erling Haaland goal in Manchester City’s derby win.
