Manchester derby officials 'learn fate' after admitted "big mistake" in Manchester City win at Old Trafford

By Seye Omidiora | 14 Sep 2026 18:52, Last updated: 14 Sep 2026 18:53

Manchester City secured a arguable 1-0 victory implicit section rivals Manchester United astatine Old Trafford astatine the weekend, but the aftermath of the derby has been wholly overshadowed by refereeing debate.

Erling Haaland netted the decisive extremity for the Citizens, yet replays intelligibly showed summertime signing Enzo Fernandez successful an offside presumption portion attempting to play the shot successful the build-up.

The determination sparked furious protests from Michael Carrick and the United bench, with the Red Devils feeling aggrieved by different contentious officiating telephone successful a high-stakes fixture.

Refereeing body, Pro Ref, subsequently took the uncommon measurement of reaching retired to the nine wrong hours of the last whistle to formally apologise and admit that a large mistake had occurred.

The fallout has present resulted successful contiguous administrative enactment from the authorities arsenic the Premier League prepares for its 5th circular of home fixtures.

Derby VAR duo 'learn fate' up of  upcoming Premier League fixtures

According to Sky Sports News, VAR authoritative Matt Donohue and adjunct VAR Blake Antrobus person not been appointed to immoderate Premier League fixtures for the upcoming matchday.

Chief refereeing serviceman Howard Webb and his elder absorption squad are believed to person made the definitive telephone to basal the duo down until astatine slightest aft the impending planetary break.

The governing organisation admitted that Donohue should person recommended an on-field reappraisal to on-pitch referee Michael Oliver aft acknowledging an "error of judgment" successful allowing Haaland's extremity to stand.

While the video reappraisal squad person been temporarily removed from the rota, Oliver, his adjunct referees Stuart Burt and Tim Wood and 4th authoritative Paul Tierney person each retained their positions for the weekend.

Clinton Morrison backs determination to punish derby officials

Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison powerfully defended Webb's determination to driblet the pair, insisting that officials indispensable look tangible consequences erstwhile important mistakes straight change lucifer outcomes.

"That's the close decision. It makes sense," Morrison remarked connected Sky Sports News, stressing that the reappraisal squad had ample clip to analyse the footage and place Fernandez's offside position. "If you marque a large mistake, you person to get punished.

"They inactive should beryllium capable to ref again contempt it being a large mistake, but you tin support making these mistakes due to the fact that alternatively of talking astir the crippled we're talking astir a large mistake which outgo Man Utd."

Dropping officials pursuing high-profile errors has go an established precedent for the refereeing hierarchy, serving arsenic some a cooling-off play and an effort to support nationalist credibility successful the technology.

However, the swift retrospective apology offers small comfortableness to Manchester United, who were denied a captious constituent against their fiercest rivals and present find themselves playing catch-up successful the Premier League table.

The effect leaves Carrick's men 13th connected 4 points, 8 down Arsenal and Manchester City and 3 down fifth-placed Chelsea.