{
  "id": 7226186,
  "title": "Referees body admits 'error of judgment' after Haaland goal against Man United",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/referees-body-admits-error-of-judgment-after-haaland-goal-against-man",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T01:29:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/referees-body-admits-error-of-judgment-after-haaland-goal-against-man-united-1.500673199"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Premier League's referees body has acknowledged an \"error of judgment\" after Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal in Manchester United's 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in Sunday's 199th Manchester derby. United fans were incensed as the goal, which came in the 60th minute, was initially disallowed for offside but later overturned by VAR. Manchester City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was deemed offside during the buildup, but soccer rules state a player is interfering with play when \"clearly attempting to play a ball or 'challenging an opponent for the ball.\" Pro Ref, which oversees Premier League matches, stated that the VAR \"did not recognize the likely impact\" of Fernandez's position and should have recommended an on-field review. While acknowledgement of the error came soon after the match, it was too late to prevent United's second defeat of the season. Phil Foden was sent off for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes, and coach Enzo Maresca attributed the team's spirit and togetherness to their victory.",
  "summary": "Brighton beats Coventry 5-0 in the Premier League before Man United vs. Man City",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Was Haaland's winner a VAR error? Man Utd fury at 'injustice'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/was-haalands-winner-a-var-error-man-utd-fury-at-injustice",
        "published": "2026-09-13T19:13:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "EPL: Ref body admits error over Haaland winner against Man United",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/epl-ref-body-admits-error-over-haaland-winner-against-man-united",
        "published": "2026-09-13T21:24:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Pro Ref admits error of judgment over controversial Haaland winner against United",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/pro-ref-admits-error-of-judgment-over-controversial-haaland-winner",
        "published": "2026-09-14T01:23:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}