Independent panel says Haaland's derby winner should have stood offside
The short version
- KMI Panel voted 5-0 that VAR wrongly awarded Haaland's 60th-minute winner
- Panel found Enzo Fernandez interfered with opponents from an offside position
- Pro Ref apologized to Manchester United; Howard Webb cited VAR's narrow focus
- City won 1-0 at Old Trafford despite Phil Foden's first-half red card
- The result remains unchanged despite the ruling
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel ruled 5-0 that VAR wrongly awarded Erling Haaland's goal in Manchester City's 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has voted 5-0 that VAR was wrong to overturn an offside call and award Erling Haaland's goal in Manchester City's 1-0 win at Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Haaland was initially flagged offside after finishing Josko Gvardiol's 60th-minute cross. Replays showed Haaland was onside, but teammate Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position when he attempted to reach the ball. VAR awarded the goal after deciding Fernandez had not touched it, yet the panel concluded Fernandez had interfered with United's defenders and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The panel also unanimously found VAR should have recommended an on-field review of the offside question rather than awarding the goal directly. Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb said the VAR team focused too narrowly on Haaland's position and failed to weigh Fernandez's role, and Pro Ref contacted United after the match to acknowledge an error of judgment.
The goal proved decisive in a game City played with 10 men after Phil Foden's 23rd-minute red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes. United hit the woodwork through Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo before Haaland scored. United manager Michael Carrick voiced frustration and called the apology effectively meaningless but said he still supports VAR.
The ruling does not change the result: City's 1-0 victory stands.
