Haaland VAR Row
Haaland's goal sparked VAR controversy and anger
Erling Haaland / Harry Maguire / Wayne Rooney / Michael Carrick / Manchester, United Kingdom / Pro Ref /

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Last Updated
9/17/2026
Articles
113
Political leaning
Neutral

The Breakdown 57

  • In a fiercely contested Manchester derby, Erling Haaland's controversial winning goal for Manchester City sparked uproar after a VAR decision controversially overturned its initial offside ruling.
  • Pro Ref, the Premier League's refereeing body, conceded that the decision to allow Haaland's goal was an "error of judgement," igniting outrage among fans and pundits alike.
  • Following the decision, VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus were stood down from their duties, reflecting the severity of their misstep in a high-stakes match.
  • Manchester United players, including Harry Maguire and Wayne Rooney, voiced their frustration, branding the VAR call as "horrendous" and fueling calls for accountability among referees.
  • The match was further complicated by Phil Foden's red card, leaving City to battle with only ten men, yet they triumphed 1-0, intensifying the narrative of the derby.
  • This incident not only reignited debates about the reliability of VAR but also underscored a growing discontent regarding officiating standards in the Premier League, with Arsenal hinting at further complaints against refereeing decisions.

Top Keywords

Erling Haaland / Harry Maguire / Wayne Rooney / Michael Carrick / Matt Donohue / Blake Antrobus / Manchester, United Kingdom / Pro Ref /

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