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Pro Ref Acknowledges VAR Error as Manchester City Keep 1-0 Derby Win

The admission has prompted officials to be stood down and a formal review that raises questions about how semi-automated offside data and the 'interference' rule are applied

Overview

  • City won 1-0 at Old Trafford when Erling Haaland’s second-half strike was initially ruled out for offside then awarded after a VAR review.
  • Pro Ref later said the goal should not have stood, described the decision as an error of judgement, and has launched a procedural review of the VAR process.
  • The two VAR officials involved have been stood down while the review examines how human reviewers used semi-automated offside tracking and judged attacking 'interference'.
  • Manchester City played most of the match with 10 men after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute and Foden’s straight red carries a three-match suspension.
  • City manager Enzo Maresca defended his team’s performance, recalled a similar 2023 derby grievance for which City say they never received an apology, and warned the focus on one moment overlooks his side’s resilience.