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Howard Webb Admits VAR Error, Stands Down Officials

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 11:01 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Howard Webb Admits Error

Howard Webb, England's Pro Ref chief, admitted VAR error let Manchester City’s winning goal stand.
VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus were stood down for the weekend’s Premier League matches.
Pro Ref sent an apology letter to Manchester United acknowledging the mistake.
Webb said officials focused on Haaland, suffered “tunnel vision,” and will not work again until after the international break.

Summary

Fans Demand VAR Reform

Fans and pundits demand a Premier League VAR overhaul after a weekend of contentious calls.
The Saturday Sunderland match sparked debate when officials awarded a penalty amid claims of inconsistency.
Head coach Matthias Jaissle criticised the Liverpool-Newcastle penalty, saying contact was minimal.
Pressure on chief executive Howard Webb has risen, with calls to hold officials accountable for systemic flaws.

History

Historical Context

The Premier League adopted VAR at the start of the 2019-20 season, following IFAB’s March 2018 rule change that first saw the system used at the 2018 World Cup, where 335 incidents were reviewed with a 99.3 % success rate. Ongoing criticism, highlighted by Howard Webb’s 2023 apology, echoes earlier doubts from the 2017 Confederations Cup and a 2022-23 panel that recorded six errors in 48 decisions.

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Howard Webb Admits Error

Howard Webb, England's Pro Ref chief, admitted VAR error let Manchester City’s winning goal stand.
VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus were stood down for the weekend’s Premier League matches.
Pro Ref sent an apology letter to Manchester United acknowledging the mistake.
Webb said officials focused on Haaland, suffered “tunnel vision,” and will not work again until after the international break.

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