{
  "id": 7212206,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-14T00:49:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2026/09/14/soccer/officials-admit-error-manchester-derby/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manchester, England – Refereeing body Pro Ref has stated that the decision to award Erling Haaland’s goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United was incorrect. Haaland scored the decisive goal on the hour mark, but it was initially ruled offside before being allowed to stand after a VAR review deemed him to be in an onside position. However, Pro Ref claims that the VAR overlooked the potential impact of Enzo Fernandez, who attempted to head the ball from an offside position. According to the statement, the on-field decision that Haaland was offside was confirmed by VAR, but the VAR did not account for Fernandez's offside position, which should have warranted a review. Pro Ref has contacted Manchester United to report what they deem to be an error in judgment and plans to conduct a review of the incident. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick expressed his frustration with the decision, questioning the referees' ability to make correct decisions despite the advanced technology and support systems in place.",
  "summary": "Haaland's strike on the hour mark was initially disallowed for offside but was allowed to stand after a VAR review found him to be onside.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "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": "The Citizen",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-09-13T21:29:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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": "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"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "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-7245011",
        "published": "2026-09-14T04:38:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}