The video assistant referee officials who allowed Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday have been stood down. Matt Donohue and his assistant, Blake Antrobus, have been told by Pro Ref they have not received appointments for this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures. Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer, took the decision with his management team after a review of the weekend’s action.
Their availability will be reconsidered after the international break. Donohue was called on to check Michael Oliver’s decision to disallow Haaland’s 60th-minute goal for offside. Using semi-automated offside technology, Donohue was able to establish that the Manchester City striker was onside and he overturned Oliver’s call.
But he failed to spot Enzo Fernández had influenced play from an offside position, an infringement which Pro Ref said should have led him to recommend an on-field review. This is the first time officials have been made to stand down this season owing to an error. Donohue, an EFL referee since 2018, has taken charge of three Championship matches this season as well as his VAR work.
His EFL profile says he has completed Pro Ref’s “Enhanced VAR Training Programme”. Antrobus is also an assistant referee in the Premier League and ran the line in the first three matchdays. Pro Ref acknowledged an “error of judgment” in the Haaland incident in a statement on Sunday night and is understood to have contacted Manchester United to explain the mistake.
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