{
  "id": 7179998,
  "title": "Referee body admits ‘error’ for Haaland goal in Manchester derby",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/referee-body-admits-error-for-haaland-goal-in-manchester-derby",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-13T21:29:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/world-soccer/referee-body-admits-error-haaland-goal-manchester-derby/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) conceded on Sunday that the decision to allow Erling Haaland's winning goal during Manchester City's 1-0 win over Manchester United was an \"error of judgment\". The Norwegian striker scored from a close-range finish following Josko Gvardiol's cross during the hour mark, with City trailing 10 men after Phil Foden's red card for kicking Bruno Fernandes. Initially, the goal was deemed offside against Haaland, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reversed that decision, despite Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez being in an offside position and attempting to reach the ball before Haaland. Pro Ref later acknowledged that the VAR did not consider the potential impact of Fernandez's position and suggested an on-field review should have been recommended. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick expressed concern over the officials' conclusion, while Lisandro Martinez, the United defender involved in the controversy, labeled the decision an \"injustice\" and stated that he had to intervene to prevent Haaland from scoring.",
  "summary": "United manager Michael Carrick said it was 'worrying' that a team of officials had come to the conclusion that Haaland's goal should stand.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City: Controversial Haaland goal wins the derby for 10-man City",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/manchester-united-0-1-manchester-city-controversial-haaland-goal-wins",
        "published": "2026-09-13T17:25:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Carrick 'baffled' by decision to award controversial Man City goal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/carrick-baffled-by-decision-to-award-controversial-man-city-goal",
        "published": "2026-09-13T18:13:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Referee body admits ‘error’ for Haaland goal in Manchester derby",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/referee-body-admits-error-for-haaland-goal-in-manchester-derby-7191760",
        "published": "2026-09-13T22:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Refereeing body says decision to award decisive goal in Manchester derby was wrong",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/refereeing-body-says-decision-to-award-decisive-goal-in-manchester",
        "published": "2026-09-14T00:49:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Referee body admits 'error' for Haaland goal in Manchester derby",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/referee-body-admits-error-for-haaland-goal-in-manchester-derby",
        "published": "2026-09-14T00:55:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "World : Premier League Referees' Body Admits Mistake Over Haaland's Derby Winner",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/world-premier-league-referees-body-admits-mistake-over-haalands-derby",
        "published": "2026-09-14T02:05:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}