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Webb Orders VAR Review After Missed Offside Interference

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 10:17 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Howard Webb suspends VAR

Howard Webb announced VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus will miss matches until after the break.
VAR allowed Erling Haaland’s 60th-minute goal for Manchester City despite Enzo Fernández interfering offside.
Pro Ref admitted officials missed Fernández’s offside interference, labeled it an error, and will review VAR procedures.
Webb said officials had “tunnel vision,” focusing on Haaland rather than Fernández’s impact.

Summary

Foden Sent Off

Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute for kicking Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester City maintained a perfect four-match league record, reaching 12 points and second place on goal difference.
Manchester United stayed on four points, sitting 13th after the loss.
Lisandro Martínez called the goal decision an injustice, saying Fernandes’s off-side position blocked him.
United announced bans for 685 fan accounts and reduced sanctions for 464 ticket-touting violations.

History

Historical Context

When IFAB added VAR to the Laws on 16 March 2018, FIFA approved its World Cup debut, where a penalty for France on 16 June 2018 sparked global debate. The tournament ran 64 matches under 13 video assistants. Today, Manchester City’s clash with Manchester United repeats that controversy, as VAR missed Enzo Fernández’s off-side and upheld Erling Haaland’s goal.

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Howard Webb suspends VAR

Howard Webb announced VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus will miss matches until after the break.
VAR allowed Erling Haaland’s 60th-minute goal for Manchester City despite Enzo Fernández interfering offside.
Pro Ref admitted officials missed Fernández’s offside interference, labeled it an error, and will review VAR procedures.
Webb said officials had “tunnel vision,” focusing on Haaland rather than Fernández’s impact.

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