História
setembro 16, 2026
Webb admits VAR tunnel vision wrongly decided the Manchester derby
Refereeing chief Howard Webb says Erling Haaland’s winner should have been disallowed after VAR missed Enzo Fernandez’s offside interference. While officials face a review and temporary removal from duties, critics say the error raises wider questions about VAR’s role.
Manchester City’s winning goal against Manchester United has become a fresh test of VAR’s credibility after refereeing chief Howard Webb conceded that the review missed an offside offence which should have ruled it out.
Webb said the central error was not the eventual finding that Erling Haaland was onside by three centimetres, but the failure to assess Enzo Fernandez’s involvement. Although Fernandez did not touch the ball, Webb said his attempt to reach it affected both Lisandro Martinez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens. “This goal should have been disallowed.”1
The explanation offered by Pro Ref is one of process rather than technology alone. Webb said the VAR became “super focused on Haaland” and, while checking the full attacking possession phase, did not properly evaluate Fernandez’s position or influence on defenders.2 The released audio supports that account: officials repeatedly checked Haaland’s position and whether Fernandez made contact, before confirming the goal without discussing whether Fernandez had interfered with opponents.3
Webb said Manchester United had been shown the audio and video, and that the officials involved would not return until after the international break. He framed that response as transparency and a chance to identify where safeguards failed, rather than a claim that the laws themselves were unclear.1
Others see a broader warning. Brentford head coach Keith Andrews said the derby mistake was “pretty alarming” and argued that referees have become too dependent on technology, leaving them less able to make decisions themselves.4 Former referee Janie Frampton went further, calling for a “complete overhaul” of VAR and warning that, with high financial stakes, a club may eventually challenge a major error legally.5
The differing diagnoses converge on one point: VAR was introduced to catch decisive mistakes, yet this review missed an offside intervention in full view of several officials. The pending review will determine whether the answer is tighter teamwork within the existing system or a more fundamental reset of decision-making authority.