VAR overlooks Fernandez offside in Manchester derby, admits Howard Webb
8 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 15, 2026, 4:58 PM
Last updated Sep 15, 2026
During the Manchester derby on September 13, Howard Webb disclosed that VAR failed to identify Enzo Fernandez's offside before Erling Haaland's goal for Manchester City. The VAR initially ruled Haaland offside, but upon review, he was deemed onside, leading to confusion and ultimately overlooking Fernandez's impact on play, which should have disallowed the goal. Webb expressed disappointment in the misjudgment and noted that records would be reviewed to prevent future errors. The officials involved will not officiate until after the upcoming international break.
- •Howard Webb admits VAR failed to assess Fernandez's offside
- •Haaland's goal was awarded despite Fernandez interfering from an offside position
- •The VAR officials focused solely on Haaland's position during the review
- •Officials involved will not officiate until after the international break
- •Webb plans to review the incident to improve VAR processes
- 5:29 PMESPN Soccer — Webb: 'Tunnel vision' allowed Haaland goal to stand
- 4:41 PMYahoo Sports — 🙄 Tunnel vision? Pro Ref's new take on Haaland's goal
- 4:26 PMYahoo Sports — VAR audio of Erling Haaland’s controversial Manchester derby winner released
- 4:00 PMYahoo Sports — VAR missed Fernandez offside in Manchester derby - Webb
- 4:00 PMBBC Sport — VAR missed Fernandez offside in Manchester derby - Webb
"Premier League refereeing chief Howard Webb publicly explained Erling Haaland’s controversial goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Webb said the video official...
"Referees' chief Howard Webb said "tunnel vision" from VAR Matt Donohue led to Manchester City's derby winner being allowed to stand -- but that the assistant VAR should have intervened.
"Referees' chief Howard Webb admits that the video assistant referee failed to assess the offside offence by Enzo Fernandez for the winning goal in Sunday's Manchester derby.
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerSep 15, 2026, 5:29 PMWebb: 'Tunnel vision' allowed Haaland goal to stand
Referees' chief Howard Webb said "tunnel vision" from VAR Matt Donohue led to Manchester City's derby winner being allowed to stand -- but that the assistant VAR should have intervened.
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 4:41 PM🙄 Tunnel vision? Pro Ref's new take on Haaland's goal
Premier League refereeing chief Howard Webb publicly explained Erling Haaland’s controversial goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Webb said the video official...
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 4:26 PMVAR audio of Erling Haaland’s controversial Manchester derby winner released
Howard Webb, Pro Ref’s chief refereering officer, admitted that the officials did not notice Fernandez’s offside offence because they had ‘tunnel vision’
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 4:00 PMVAR missed Fernandez offside in Manchester derby - Webb
Referees' chief Howard Webb admits that the video assistant referee failed to assess the offside offence by Enzo Fernandez for the winning goal in Sunday's Manchester derby.
- BBC SportSep 15, 2026, 4:00 PMVAR missed Fernandez offside in Manchester derby - Webb
Referees' chief Howard Webb admits that the video assistant referee failed to assess the offside offence by Enzo Fernandez for the winning goal in Sunday's Manchester derby.
- Sky Sports Football—Webb: VAR had 'tunnel vision' on Haaland which led to Enzo error
Pro Ref chief Howard Webb says VAR missed Enzo Fernandez being offside for Erling Haaland's winning goal in the Manchester derby due to "tunnel vision".
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