VAR Blunder Exposed: Howard Webb Says Man City Goal Should Have Been Disallowed

Premier League referees’ chief Howard Webb has admitted that Manchester City’s goal against Manchester United should not have stood after VAR officials failed to properly identify an offside offence involving Enzo Fernandes.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Erling Haaland scored from Josko Gvardiol’s cross despite Fernandes being in an offside position and appearing close to Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Although semi-automated offside technology determined that Haaland was three centimetres onside, VAR officials concentrated on whether Fernandes had made contact with the ball, overlooking his potential interference with the play.

Webb explained that VAR officials Alex Donohue and Richard Antrobus became overly focused on Haaland’s position after confirming that the Manchester City striker was onside.

He acknowledged that the officials failed to properly assess Fernandes’ position and the influence he had on the sequence that led to the goal, describing the error as disappointing.

Webb admitted that the goal should have been ruled out and said the refereeing body would review the incident and learn from the mistake in an effort to prevent similar errors in the future.

Meanwhile, Webb defended the decision to send off Manchester City forward Phil Foden after he kicked out at Bruno Fernandes during the encounter.

The referees’ chief said Fernandes’ earlier kick at Foden was more petulant than violent and deserved a yellow card rather than a dismissal.

However, Webb maintained that Foden’s subsequent action warranted a red card because he kicked Fernandes with force in the upper body.

He explained that violent conduct requires excessive force or brutality and maintained that Fernandes’ earlier action did not meet that threshold.

Webb further stated that Fernandes would have received a yellow card if Foden’s dismissal had been subjected to a VAR review at the pitchside monitor.