The Aporia
Reuters. (2026, September 14). Manchester derby VAR officials stood down from weekend Premier League games. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/9/14/manchester-derby-var-official-stood-down-from-weekend-premier-league-games?traffic_source=rss
Reuters. “Manchester derby VAR officials stood down from weekend Premier League games.” Al Jazeera, 14 Sept. 2026, https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/9/14/manchester-derby-var-official-stood-down-from-weekend-premier-league-games?traffic_source=rss.
Reuters. “Manchester derby VAR officials stood down from weekend Premier League games.” Al Jazeera, September 14, 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/9/14/manchester-derby-var-official-stood-down-from-weekend-premier-league-games?traffic_source=rss.
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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 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.