The Aporia · Manchester derby VAR officials stood down from weekend Premier League games

Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus, who were involved in Manchester City’s VAR decision allowing Erling Haaland’s winning goal against Manchester United, will not officiate any Premier League matches this weekend due to Pro Ref's admission that the call was incorrect. The officials are expected to be out of duty until after the international break. Haaland’s goal was initially disallowed for offside but was later ruled valid following a VAR review; however, it emerged that the VAR failed to consider teammate Enzo Fernandez’s involvement in an offside position. Manchester United and Manchester City have upcoming matches in both the League Cup and Premier League over the next week.

Written by AI on 2026-09-15, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

Matt Donohue, the video assistant referee (VAR) who allowed Erling Haaland’s winner in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United, has been stood down from officiating next weekend's Premier League games. Similarly, Assistant VAR Blake Antrobus was also not assigned any tasks after Pro Ref acknowledged that the initial decision to allow Haaland’s goal was incorrect. The strike had initially been ruled out for offside but was later awarded as onside following a VAR review. Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and his management team decided on this exclusion, with neither official expected back until at least after the international break. This incident highlights the scrutiny and accountability in high-stakes football officiating.

Written for “Manchester Derby Controversy” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Manchester Derby Controversy

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Matt Donohue, the video assistant referee (VAR) who allowed Erling Haaland’s winner in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United, has not been selected to officiate at any of next weekend’s Premier League football fixtures.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-15

🔮 4‘Fake news’: South Korea’s manager Moreno dismisses AI coaching allegations - list 4 of 4‘This year I’d deserve it’: Lamine Yamal stakes Ballon d’Or claim The decision was taken by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and the management team, with neither official expected to return to duty until at least after the international break. Haaland’s second-half strike was initially ruled out for offside before being awarded following a VAR review that determined the Norwegian striker was onside.

2026-09-15 · Al Jazeera

Manchester derby VAR officials stood down from weekend Premier League games · assertive framing

who → allow → fixtures

Assistant VAR Blake Antrobus has also not been given any assignment after the refereeing body Pro Ref acknowledged in a statement that VAR was wrong to allow Haaland’s decisive goal. asserted

VAR → give → goal

Recommended Stories list of 4 items- list 1 of 4North Korea thrash Bangladesh 10-0 in Asian Games women’s football - list 2 of 4Eto’o faces allegations of embezzlement in Cameroon FA presidency role - list 3 of asserted

Korea → thrash → role

4‘Fake news’: South Korea’s manager Moreno dismisses AI coaching allegations - list 4 of 4‘This year I’d deserve it’: Lamine Yamal stakes Ballon d’Or claim The decision was taken by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and the management team, with neither official expected to return to duty until at least after the international break. Haaland’s second-half strike was initially ruled out for offside before being awarded following a VAR review that determined the Norwegian striker was onside. uncertain

striker → dismiss → review

However, the refereeing body later said the VAR had failed to take into account the impact of teammate Enzo Fernandez, who attempted to play the ball from an offside position. asserted

who → say → position

United, who are 13th in the English top flight following the defeat, are next in action when they play Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday. asserted

they → follow → Wednesday

Their next Premier League game will be played at Fulham on Sunday. asserted

game → play → Sunday

City entertain Norwich City in the cup on Thursday, before hosting Sunderland on Sunday in the league, where they are level on points with leaders and defending champions Arsenal. asserted

they → entertain → leaders

Manchester derby VAR officials stood down from weekend Premier League games

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