Referee body admits mistake in Haaland's goal at Old Trafford
6 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 14, 2026, 3:39 PM
Last updated Sep 14, 2026

Pro Ref acknowledged a mistake involving Erling Haaland's goal during the derby at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026. Originally flagged offside by the assistant referee in the 60th minute, Haaland's goal was deemed legitimate following a review. The VAR improperly assessed Enzo Fernández’s influence on the play despite not touching the ball. Pro Ref has apologized to Manchester United and initiated a formal review of the incident.
- •Haaland scored the winning goal for Manchester City.
- •The match took place at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026.
- •Pro Ref's review showed Haaland was onside at the time of the goal.
- •Manchester United received a formal apology from the refereeing body.
- •The VAR failed to correctly assess the situation with Enzo Fernández.
- 8:16 PMYahoo Sports — VAR officials stood down after Erling Haaland goal controversy in Manchester derby
- 3:39 PMThe Guardian Sport — VARs who wrongly allowed Haaland’s goal at Manchester United are stood down
- 3:11 PMYahoo Sports — Pro Ref contact Man United as Michael Carrick left furious after allowing Erling Haaland goal
- 9:25 AMYahoo Sports — Pro Ref issue apology for ‘error of judgement’ on Manchester Derby winner
- 9:25 AMYahoo Sports — Referees' association says Haaland goal should not have stood and will review incident
- 10:00 PMYahoo Sports — Referees group Pro Ref acknowledges error on Erling Haaland's goal to win Manchester derby
- 8:48 PMYahoo Sports — 😱Row rumbles on: Pro Ref admits error in Haaland goal
"Matt Donohue and his assistant not used this weekend Pro Ref said allowing winner was ‘error of judgment’ The video assistant referee officials who allowed Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday have been stood down from their responsibilities. Matt Donohue and his assistant, Blake Antrobus, have been told by Pro Ref they have not received appointments for the next round of Premier League fixtures, due to take place next weekend. Continue reading...
"Pro Ref, the association of professional referees formerly known as PGMOL, issued an official statement on Sunday evening saying that the goal scored by Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, which gave Ma...
"The refereeing body Pro Ref issued an official statement acknowledging a decisive mistake in the derby played this Sunday at Old Trafford, where Erling Haaland scored the winning goal for Manchester C...
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 14, 2026, 8:16 PMVAR officials stood down after Erling Haaland goal controversy in Manchester derby
Two VAR officials involved in the officiating of Sunday's Manchester derby have been stood down by Howard Webb's Pro Ref following the controversial decision that allowed Erling Haaland's winning goal
- The Guardian SportSep 14, 2026, 3:39 PMVARs who wrongly allowed Haaland’s goal at Manchester United are stood down
Matt Donohue and his assistant not used this weekend Pro Ref said allowing winner was ‘error of judgment’ The video assistant referee officials who allowed Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday have been stood down from their responsibilities. Matt Donohue and his assistant, Blake Antrobus, have been told by Pro Ref they have not received appointments for the next round of Premier League fixtures, due to take place next weekend. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsSep 14, 2026, 3:11 PMPro Ref contact Man United as Michael Carrick left furious after allowing Erling Haaland goal
Pro Ref have issued a statement and apologized to Manchester United over an 'error of judgement' after VAR allowed Erling Haaland's controversial winning goal in the Manchester derby
- Yahoo SportsSep 14, 2026, 9:25 AMPro Ref issue apology for ‘error of judgement’ on Manchester Derby winner
Pro Ref has issued an apology for an ‘error of judgement’ that allowed Erling Haaland’s Manchester Derby winner to stand.Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) is the body that oversees all Premie...
- Yahoo SportsSep 14, 2026, 9:25 AMReferees' association says Haaland goal should not have stood and will review incident
Pro Ref, the association of professional referees formerly known as PGMOL, issued an official statement on Sunday evening saying that the goal scored by Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, which gave Ma...
- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 10:00 PMReferees group Pro Ref acknowledges error on Erling Haaland's goal to win Manchester derby
"Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place," said a spokesman for Pro Ref
- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 8:48 PM😱Row rumbles on: Pro Ref admits error in Haaland goal
The refereeing body Pro Ref issued an official statement acknowledging a decisive mistake in the derby played this Sunday at Old Trafford, where Erling Haaland scored the winning goal for Manchester C...
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