Matt Donohue, the VAR official who wrongly allowed Erling Haaland's winning goal in last month's Manchester derby, has been reinstated to Premier League duty. Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus failed to judge that Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was offside and interfering with play during the incident at Old Trafford on September 13.
Donohue will serve as assistant VAR when Coventry host Fulham on Saturday. He has not featured in any Premier League match rounds since the incident, though Antrobus made his first appearance since the derby as an assistant referee for Newcastle's home fixture against Aston Villa. Donohue has officiated in the EFL in the meantime, refereeing Championship matches between Derby and Wrexham and Southampton vs Bolton.
Pro Ref chief refereeing officer Howard Webb said Donohue developed "tunnel vision" by focusing on whether Haaland was offside, and added that the team around him should have helped pull him out of it. Sky Sports News reported that United received an apology over the incorrect VAR decision.
In the 59th minute, Haaland tapped in a cross to give 10-man Man City the lead. The on-field assistant referee flagged for offside, but semi-automated technology ruled Haaland onside, so the goal stood. However, Fernandez was clearly offside when he dived to reach the same cross, and his movement appeared to affect Man Utd's Lisandro Martinez's defending. Under the laws of the game, the goal should have been disallowed. Pro Ref later acknowledged an "error of judgment" and said the VAR "should have recommended an on-field review."
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing