Manchester derby VAR error caused by ‘tunnel vision’: Pro Ref chief Webb

What the report says

Pro Ref chief Howard Webb has said video assistant referees made a key mistake in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in Sunday’s derby at Old Trafford, describing the error as the result of “tunnel vision.” According to Al Jazeera’s report, the goal by Erling Haaland was initially disallowed for offside, then awarded after a VAR review concluded he was onside.

The referees’ body later accepted the goal should not have stood because the review did not properly account for teammate Enzo Fernandez’s role in the move. Webb said he was disappointed with the outcome and noted that the officials involved were also upset by the error. He said VAR officials Matt Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus would not be assigned to matches again until after the international break.

Webb also said the semi-automated offside system quickly showed Haaland was onside, but the subsequent review focused too narrowly on the striker and did not fully assess Fernandez’s position. In practical terms, that meant the officials missed part of the offside decision-making process. The report adds that United manager Michael Carrick criticised the call after his team’s defeat, while the incident has renewed broader debate over VAR’s role in English football and whether the technology is improving or complicating match officiating.