VAR Officials Dropped After Incorrect Haaland Goal Decision
Video assistant referees Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus have been dropped from upcoming Premier League fixtures. The decision follows an incorrect ruling that allowed Erling Haaland's goal in a 1-0 win.
Match officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus have been dropped from the upcoming Premier League fixtures following a controversial and incorrect decision made during a high-profile match in Manchester, United Kingdom, on September 14, 2026. The incident occurred during Manchester City's narrow 1-0 victory over rivals Manchester United, a fixture that has drawn intense scrutiny regarding the implementation of video review technology.
During the fixture, Matt Donohue served as the primary video assistant referee (VAR), while Blake Antrobus fulfilled the role of assistant VAR. The central controversy of the match centered around the decisive winning goal scored by Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. The goal ultimately secured the 1-0 scoreline for Manchester City, but it immediately sparked debate among players, coaching staff, and observers regarding its legitimacy under current football regulations.
Following the conclusion of the match, officiating body Pro Ref issued an official statement acknowledging that the VAR team had made an incorrect decision by allowing Haaland's goal to stand. According to the statement, the officiating review failed to properly take into account the active impact of Manchester City teammate Enzo Fernandez, who was situated in an offside position at the time of the play. The failure to penalize this offside involvement led directly to the erroneous validation of the goal.
In response to the acknowledged error, Howard Webb and the broader management team swiftly intervened. They made the definitive decision not to select either Donohue or Antrobus for any of the Premier League fixtures scheduled for the following weekend. This disciplinary action underscores the high stakes and strict accountability measures in place for officiating errors within the top tier of English professional football.
The fallout from the match highlights ongoing debates surrounding the consistency and accuracy of video assistant referee interventions in the Premier League. As Pro Ref and management continue to evaluate performance standards, the omission of Donohue and Antrobus serves as a direct consequence of the missed offside call involving Enzo Fernandez during Manchester City's victory over Manchester United.
