Manchester derby VAR officials stood down from next weekend’s Premier League duty

Matt Donohue, the video assistant referee who allowed Erling Haaland’s winner in Manchester City’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Manchester United on September 13, 2026, has not been selected to officiate any of next weekend’s fixtures. Assistant VAR Blake Antrobus has also not been given an assignment.

The refereeing organisation Pro Ref acknowledged in a statement that VAR was wrong to allow Haaland’s decisive goal. Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and his management team took the decision to remove both officials from appointments for the upcoming weekend.

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.

A published photograph shows Erling Haaland and his Manchester City team-mates looking on as referee Michael Oliver awards the goal after the VAR review; the match is dated September 13, 2026. The image is credited to Action Images via Reuters.

Pro Ref 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.

Neither Donohue nor Antrobus is expected to return to duty until at least after the international break.