Manchester derby VAR officials stood down from weekend Premier League games | Football
Referees Stand Down After Controversial Manchester Derby Decision
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Published: September 14, 2026
Matt Donohue, the video assistant referee (VAR) who approved Erling Haaland’s winning goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United, will not officiate any Premier League fixtures this weekend. Assistant VAR Blake Antrobus has also been removed from assignments following the decision by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
The move comes after PGMOL acknowledged in a statement that the VAR’s decision to validate Haaland’s goal was incorrect. Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, along with the management team, made the decision to stand down both officials, with neither expected to return until after the upcoming international break.
Haaland’s goal, initially disallowed for offside, was awarded after a VAR review confirmed that he was onside. However, the refereeing body stated that the VAR did not sufficiently account for teammate Enzo Fernandez, who attempted to play the ball from an offside position.
Following the match, Manchester United sits in 13th place in the Premier League. They will face Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday, before their next league match against Fulham on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will host Norwich City in the League Cup on Thursday, followed by a league matchup against Sunderland on Sunday. City is currently level on points with Arsenal, the defending champions and league leaders.
