Manchester Derby VAR Error: Howard Webb On Missed Offside Call
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VAR Did Not Consider Fernandez Offside - Webb
Referees' chief Howard Webb has admitted that the video assistant referee (VAR) did not even consider whether Enzo Fernandez was offside for Erling Haaland's controversial winner in Sunday's Manchester derby.
Speaking on the first edition of 'Match Officials Mic'd Up' of the season, Webb said he was "really disappointed" with the error made by the VAR Matt Donohue and his assistant Blake Antrobus.
Manchester City striker Haaland thought he had scored the only goal of the game at Old Trafford in the 60th minute, but it was disallowed on the field for offside. A VAR review found Haaland was just onside, and the goal was awarded. However, Webb revealed that the video officials failed to identify an offside offence by Fernandez, who dived at the ball in a central position and interfered with opponents.
"I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are," said Webb. "None more so than the officials themselves."
The VAR's Focus on Haaland
The Mic'd Up audio revealed that Donohue and Antrobus did not consider Fernandez's position because, as Webb puts it, they got "tunnel vision" over Haaland.
The semi-automated offside technology told the VAR that Haaland was three centimetres onside from Josko Gvardiol's cross. But the video officials only checked for a touch by Fernandez, which would have created a new offside phase against Haaland.
"The VAR gets super-focused on Haaland," said Webb. "He establishes he's onside, he thinks that's a good goal."