Pro Ref admits error over Haaland's controversial derby goal

Pro Ref has confirmed that Manchester City’s contentious derby winner against Manchester United on Sunday should not have been allowed to stand.

Erling Haaland’s goal in the 60th minute secured a 1-0 victory for the ten-man visitors at Old Trafford, following Phil Foden’s early red card in the Premier League match.

Initially, Haaland was deemed offside when he scored from Josko Gvardiol’s deflected cross from the left wing. However, after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was permitted, with the technology determining that Haaland was level with Patrick Dorgu’s foot.

Although initial TV replays suggested Haaland was offside at the back post, the Premier League’s semi-automated offside technology confirmed he was actually behind Dorgu. Enzo Fernandez, however, was in an offside position and seemed to interfere with play by lunging for the ball. The Premier League Match Centre indicated that since Fernandez did not touch the ball, the goal was allowed to stand, a decision that Man United defender Lisandro Martinez described as an “injustice”.

Just hours after the match concluded, Pro Ref acknowledged an “error of judgement” in the decision to award the goal.

A spokesperson for Pro Ref stated: “Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday's Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland’s awarded goal.

“The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.

“In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.

“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”

The rules of the game state that a player standing in an offside position will be penalised if they are: Source: The Independent