Manchester derby VAR officials stood down from weekend Premier League games

What the report says

Two video assistant referees from the Manchester derby have been removed from upcoming Premier League appointments after the officiating body said the VAR team made an error in the build-up to Manchester City’s winning goal at Manchester United. Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, reported that Matt Donohue, who was the VAR for the match, and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus will not be assigned to this weekend’s league fixtures.

The decision was taken by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and the management team at Pro Ref, according to the article. The match in question ended 1-0 to City after Erling Haaland’s second-half strike, which was first ruled out for offside and then allowed after a VAR review. The refereeing body later said the review had missed the role of United player Enzo Fernandez, who attempted to play the ball from an offside position.

The report said neither official is expected to return before the international break. It also places the ruling in the context of a close Premier League season, with City level on points with leaders Arsenal and United sitting 13th after the defeat. Such post-match officiating decisions can draw scrutiny because they affect title races, European qualification and club standings.