Howard Webb, the chief executive of the Professional Referees' Organization, voiced strong disappointment after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) missed a clear off‑side infringement by Enzo Fernández during Erling Haaland's decisive strike in the Manchester derby. Webb explained that the VAR team became overly fixated on Haaland's position, a phenomenon he described as "tunnel vision," which caused them to overlook Fernández's interference from an off‑side spot.
The incident unfolded when Haaland, initially flagged for off‑side by the on‑field officials, had his decision overturned after a VAR review. The review concluded that Haaland was, in fact, on‑side by a margin of just three centimetres. However, the VAR panel failed to consider that Fernández, who was positioned well beyond the last defender, had dived for the ball and obstructed the defensive actions of Lisandro Martínez and Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Although Fernández never touched the ball, the laws of the game state that a player can be penalised for off‑side interference even without contact. This nuance was ignored, allowing the goal to stand. Webb elaborated in an interview with Mic'd Up, stating, "The on‑field decision was not about Fernández; it was about Haaland.
When the VAR started the check, they saw Haaland was on‑side. But the VAR became hyper‑focused on Haaland's position and did not fully evaluate the entire attacking possession phase (APP). In that moment, tunnel vision set in, and the rest of the VAR team did not intervene to correct it.
The goal should have been disallowed." The procedural breakdown became evident in the audio transcript of the VAR communication. Assistant VAR initially identified Fernández, then announced a possible off‑side. The head VAR confirmed Haaland's on‑side status and proceeded to verify the full APP, asking whether other players, such as Iliman Ndiaye, were on‑side when the ball was flicked.
After confirming no touch by Fernández, the VAR concluded the review with a goal decision, despite the clear obstruction caused by Fernández's off‑side run. Webb stressed that acknowledging the mistake was essential. He said, "We felt it was important to own up to the error.
Haaland was not off‑side, but Fernández was, and his movement almost certainly interfered with United's defence and the goalkeeper. The officials are deeply disappointed; they take great pride in their work and are now facing the consequences.
They will not officiate again until after the international break." The Professional Referees' Organization has already contacted Manchester United to explain the situation and has shared the relevant audio and video footage with the club. Webb added, "We will review the entire process to pinpoint where the system broke down. While Fernández did not touch the ball, the off‑side rule does not require contact.
His dive impacted Martínez's ability to clear the ball and limited Lammens' chance to react, effectively altering the defensive dynamics." Reactions from the media were swift and critical. Sky Sports' Laura Hunter argued that a simple admission of error should not absolve Pro Ref from a comprehensive review, noting that the Premier League's match centre had posted that Fernández "didn't play the ball" while ignoring his off‑side interference.
Hunter questioned whether the VAR team consulted the linesman about who was actually flagged and pointed out that the entire review lasted nearly three minutes—far longer than necessary for a clear off‑side call. Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol offered a more sympathetic perspective, acknowledging the human element behind the mistake.
He said, "I have sympathy for the VAR and his assistant; they made a huge error, and many Manchester United fans will view it as unforgivable. Yet, humans err, and these officials will likely spend sleepless nights replaying the incident. The regret they feel will be profound." The broader debate resurfaced about the reliability of VAR technology.
Critics argue that if a sophisticated video system cannot catch a basic off‑side infringement, its overall value is questionable. Proponents counter that the technology still reduces many clear errors, but the incident underscores the need for better training and clearer protocols to prevent tunnel vision.
In summary, Howard Webb's candid assessment highlights a critical flaw in the VAR process: an over‑emphasis on a single player can obscure other equally important infractions. The failure to recognize Enzo Fernández's off‑side interference allowed a goal that should have been ruled out, prompting calls for procedural reforms, more rigorous checks, and perhaps a re‑evaluation of how VAR teams communicate during high‑stakes moments.
The incident will likely influence future guidelines to ensure that all aspects of the attacking possession phase are examined comprehensively, preventing similar oversights in crucial matches.