Following a high-profile officiating error during the recent Manchester derby, VAR official Matt Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus have been removed from the upcoming round of Premier League fixtures. The decision, handed down by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and the league’s management team, ensures both officials will remain sidelined at least until the conclusion of the pending international break.
The controversy stems from Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United, where Erling Haaland’s winning strike was initially disallowed for offside. A subsequent VAR review overturned that call, confirming the Norwegian striker as being in an onside position. However, officiating body Pro Ref later admitted that the review process was flawed, failing to properly account for teammate Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position and attempted to play the ball during the sequence.
Manchester United currently sits 13th in the English top-flight standings. Their immediate schedule sees them facing Brighton in the League Cup this Wednesday, followed by a Premier League fixture against Fulham on Sunday. Meanwhile, Manchester City is preparing to host Norwich City for a cup tie on Thursday, ahead of a Sunday league match against Sunderland. City remains level on points with current table-toppers and defending champions, Arsenal. The report also notes that the video assistant referee (VAR) who allowed Erling Haaland’s winner in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United, has not been selected to officiate at any of next weekend’s Premier League football fixtures, matt Donohue.
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