{
  "id": 7245011,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-14T04:38:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/soccer/premier-league/2026-09-14-referee-body-admits-error-for-haaland-goal-in-manchester-derby/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) admitted on Sunday that their decision to allow Erling Haaland's goal in Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester United was an error of judgment. City were down to ten men after Phil Foden's dismissal for kicking Bruno Fernandes, and Haaland scored a close-range finish from Josko Gvardiol's cross in the hour mark. Initially, the goal was disallowed for offside against Haaland, but VAR overturned that decision, even though City midfielder Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and failed to touch the ball.\n\nPremier League Match Centre reported that VAR determined Haaland was in an onside position, and Fernandez did not play the ball. However, Pro Ref later emphasized that the VAR did not consider the likely impact of Fernandez's position and should have recommended an on-field review. Pro Ref contacted Manchester United to acknowledge the error and stated that a review of the incident would take place.\n\nAfter the match, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick expressed concern over the officials' decision. Lisandro Martinez, United's defender, was at the center of the controversy. The Argentine alleged that the presence of his international teammate Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position, impacted his ability to play Haaland. Martinez called the goal an \"injustice\" and criticized the team of officials for making such mistakes in the Premier League, stating that five or six people making such errors is unacceptable.",
  "summary": "Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) admitted Sunday that the decision to allow Erling Haaland's winner in Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester United was an \" error of judgment\".",
  "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": "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."
}