VAR missed Fernandez offside in Manchester derby - Webb

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reported that refereeing chief Howard Webb admitted the video assistant referee team missed an offside offence by Enzo Fernandez in the build-up to Manchester City’s winning goal in Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Webb said he was disappointed by the error from VAR Matt Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus, and said the officials would not take charge again until after the international break.

According to the article, the goal initially came under review because Erling Haaland had appeared to score before being flagged for offside on the field. VAR then judged the Norway striker to be just onside and allowed the goal, but later review showed the officials had not properly assessed Fernandez’s role in the move. Webb said the VAR focused too narrowly on Haaland and did not fully consider Fernandez’s position and impact on play.

The BBC also reported Webb’s comments on a separate flashpoint in the match: the red card shown to Phil Foden for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes. Webb backed Foden’s dismissal, while saying Bruno Fernandes’ response was petulant rather than violent conduct and would have been a yellow-card offence. The remarks formed part of the first episode of the season of Match Officials Mic’d Up, a Premier League refereeing review programme.

The issue matters because it highlights ongoing scrutiny of VAR decision-making in high-profile matches, especially when technology is used correctly on one part of an incident but not another. Webb said the episode would be reviewed so lessons could be taken forward.