Pro Ref Chief Howard Webb Admits 'Tunnel Vision' Caused Controversial VAR Error in Manchester Derby

Pro Ref chief Howard Webb admitted that "tunnel vision" caused video assistant referee officials to incorrectly award Erling Haaland’s goal during Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford. The strike by Haaland was initially flagged for offside before a VAR review overturned the decision, allowing the Manchester City forward's goal to stand in a match that ended in a 1-0 defeat for Manchester United.

Pro Ref, the governing body for refereeing in English professional football, subsequently admitted the goal should have been disallowed because the VAR team failed to properly evaluate the involvement of teammate Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position when he attempted to play the ball.

“I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are. None more so than the officials themselves,” Webb stated on Match Officials Mic’d Up on Sky Sports and TNT Sports. “They take a lot of personal pride in what they do, and they’re obviously hurting now having fallen short in this situation.”

VAR is intended to be a support mechanism for checking, reviewing, and correcting clear and obvious errors, but the technology has increasingly sparked controversy in the sport. Prominent figures, including Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney and other football experts, heavily criticized the decision, describing the implementation of VAR as "horrendous" and overly dominant.

Webb confirmed that VAR officials Matt Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus have been sidelined from officiating duties until after the upcoming international break. "We’ve reached out to Manchester United and acknowledged the error, as we do when these things happen," Webb added.

Detailing the review process, Webb explained that while the semi-automated offside system quickly confirmed Haaland was onside, the VAR became overly concentrated on the striker's location and neglected to assess Fernandez's impact on the play. "In that moment, he gets tunnel vision," Webb said.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick strongly criticized the controversial ruling following his team's 1-0 home loss, which marks their second defeat in four Premier League matches this season. Manchester United prepares to host Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday before facing Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.