Overview
- Matt Donohue will return to Premier League duty as assistant VAR for Coventry v Fulham on Saturday after being stood down following the Manchester derby incident.
- The mistake occurred on September 13 when VAR judged Erling Haaland to be onside while team-mate Enzo Fernández, who was in an offside position, was not judged to have interfered with play.
- Pro Ref formally acknowledged an "error of judgement," apologised to Manchester United, and said the VAR should have recommended an on-field review; chief refereeing officer Howard Webb said Donohue developed "tunnel vision."
- Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus were removed from Premier League rounds, worked in EFL matches during the absence, and have been returned to top-flight roles in a staged reintegration process.
- The episode has highlighted differences between oversight bodies after a separate KMI ruling backed a VAR red-card recommendation that an independent commission later overturned, and it has prompted formal reviews of APP checks and VAR team procedures.