The officiating body
The incident occurred in the 60th minute of the
Clarification on the VAR Oversight
In an official statement addressing the match, Pro Ref clarified the reasoning behind the error. While the VAR team correctly identified that Haaland was in an onside position, they failed to properly assess the impact of Fernández’s presence during the play. The officiating body noted that while Fernández did not make contact with the ball, his positioning had a clear impact on the defensive situation, which should have prompted an on-field review.
“In the same attack, it was established that Fernández didn’t play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective; however, on this occasion, the VAR didn’t recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review,” the statement read. Pro Ref has since made contact with Manchester United to address the error.
Controversy Surrounding Phil Foden’s Dismissal
The 199th edition of the Manchester derby was further marred by disciplinary drama in the 23rd minute when Phil Foden was shown a straight red card. The City midfielder was dismissed for kicking Bruno Fernandes in the stomach following an initial challenge from the United captain. While City manager Maresca supported the decision to send off Foden, he expressed frustration that Fernandes was not also dismissed for his role in the altercation.
“Phil Foden’s red card is a red card, but I also think it’s a red card from Bruno. Reviewing the action, it’s a clear red card for Phil because it’s a reaction, but you can also see Bruno’s action,” Maresca stated following the match. The admission regarding the goal, combined with the contentious red card decision, has ensured that the latest derby will be remembered for its officiating disputes as much as the final scoreline.
