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VAR Drama: Haaland's Foul Overturns Cherki's Manchester City Goal

2/25/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Howard Webb, PGMO Chief Refereeing Officer, explained that Rayan Cherki's goal for Manchester City against Liverpool was disallowed because Erling Haaland fouled Dominik Szoboszlai.
Craig Pawson overturned the decision after a VAR review demonstrated Haaland's foul.
Szoboszlai was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Webb said officials should apply common sense while following the rules.

History

Historical Context

The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in 2018 marked a significant shift in football officiating, following years of resistance from FIFA against video evidence. VAR was first used in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where it influenced key decisions, including penalties awarded to France and goals validated for Spain. This ongoing evolution raises questions about the balance between technology and human judgment in sports.

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Story summary

Howard Webb, PGMO Chief Refereeing Officer, explained that Rayan Cherki's goal for Manchester City against Liverpool was disallowed because Erling Haaland fouled Dominik Szoboszlai.
Craig Pawson overturned the decision after a VAR review demonstrated Haaland's foul.
Szoboszlai was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Webb said officials should apply common sense while following the rules.

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