Video Assistant Referee Matt Donohue and Assistant VAR Blake Antrobus have been suspended following the controversial decision that allowed Erling Haaland’s wi...
Video Assistant Referee Matt Donohue and Assistant VAR Blake Antrobus have been suspended following the controversial decision that allowed Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
The two officials, who were responsible for the VAR operation during Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United, will not officiate another match until at least after the upcoming international break.
According to Sky Sports News, the decision was taken by Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb and the refereeing management team following a review of the incident.
The suspension comes after the Premier League’s refereeing body, Pro Ref, admitted that an error had been made in allowing City’s decisive goal to stand.
Haaland scored the only goal of the match, giving Manchester City a narrow victory over their local rivals. However, the goal came under scrutiny because City’s Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position while attempting to play the ball before it reached Haaland.
The incident was reviewed by VAR, but Donohue did not recommend that referee Michael Oliver conduct an on-field review.
Pro Ref later acknowledged that the decision-making process had fallen short and confirmed that the VAR should have advised Oliver to review the incident himself.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Pro Ref said it had contacted Manchester United to acknowledge what it described as an “error of judgment” in the handling of the goal.
The admission has placed further attention on the role of VAR in Premier League matches, particularly when an offside position potentially affects an attacking move.
Under the laws of the game, an offside offence can be given when a player in an offside position becomes involved in active play. The question in the Manchester derby was whether Fernandez’s attempt to play the ball affected the subsequent action that led to Haaland scoring.
While Donohue and Antrobus have been removed from the next round of fixtures, other officials involved in the Manchester derby have not been suspended.
Oliver, who was the match referee, has been appointed to another game. His assistants Stuart Burt and Tim Wood, as well as fourth official Paul Tierney, have also been assigned matches.
The different treatment of the officials reflects the focus of the review on the VAR decision and whether an on-field review should have been recommended.
The controversy has also renewed debate over the level of intervention expected from VAR officials in situations where the original referee’s decision may require further examination.
VAR was introduced to help referees review potentially serious errors involving key incidents, including goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity. However, the system does not replace the referee’s authority on the pitch.
In this case, Pro Ref’s admission that the VAR should have recommended an on-field review means the central issue was not simply whether the goal was controversial, but whether the appropriate review process was followed.
Manchester City ultimately left Old Trafford with all three points, while Manchester United were left to reflect on a defeat decided by a single goal.
For the Premier League’s refereeing authorities, the incident provides another example of the scrutiny officials face when VAR decisions influence major matches.
Donohue and Antrobus are expected to return to officiating after the international break, unless further decisions are taken by the refereeing management team.
The incident is likely to remain a talking point among supporters and analysts, particularly as the Premier League continues to examine how VAR decisions are made and how officials should respond when there is uncertainty over a potentially decisive incident.
