Webb admits VAR missed offside in Manchester derby
Howard Webb confirmed that VAR officials failed to check whether Enzo Fernandez was offside during the Manchester derby. The review focused solely on Haaland's position, missing Fernandez's interference. Webb said the officials will not officiate again until after the international break.
Webb’s admission centers on a specific failure: the VAR team, led by Matt Donohue, confirmed Haaland was onside by three centimeters using semi-automated technology, but never assessed Fernandez’s offside position. The audio review shows they only checked whether Fernandez touched the ball, not whether his presence interfered with play. Webb noted that Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez shifted to challenge Fernandez, leaving Haaland unmarked at the back post—a sequence that should have triggered a new offside phase.
The incident marks the first public review of the season for the new “Match Officials Mic’d Up” program, which aims to increase transparency. Webb confirmed both officials will be sidelined until after the international break, and he has already shared the VAR audio and video with Manchester United. The error is described as an “unusual type” of mistake, stemming from tunnel vision rather than a technical malfunction.
This incident could deepen public skepticism about VAR’s reliability, especially in high-stakes matches where a single goal decides a derby. Fans and clubs may push for more consistent application of offside rules, particularly around player interference. The decision to bench the officials signals accountability, but it may also raise questions about whether such errors undermine trust in the league’s officiating standards. Ultimately, it could accelerate calls for clearer protocols or more robust review procedures.