{
  "id": 7391036,
  "title": "VAR officials stood down after Erling Haaland goal controversy in Manchester derby",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/var-officials-stood-down-after-erling-haaland-goal-controversy-in",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-14T20:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/var-officials-stood-down-erling-201600340.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two VAR officials, Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus, have been suspended from refereeing duties following controversy over Erling Haaland's goal during the Manchester derby. The suspension comes after the video assistant referee booth determined Haaland was in an onside position, despite initial confusion. Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb and his management team sanctioned the move, with Donohue serving as lead VAR and not being assigned to top-flight matches this weekend. Manchester United acknowledged the error of judgement and a review of the incident will take place.",
  "summary": "Two VAR officials involved in the officiating of Sunday's Manchester derby have been stood down by Howard Webb's Pro Ref following the controversial decision that allowed Erling Haaland's winning goal",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Refereeing body admits judgement error over Haaland derby winner",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/refereeing-body-admits-judgement-error-over-haaland-derby-winner",
        "published": "2026-09-14T05:28:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "EPL: Referees who awarded Haaland’s goal in Manchester derby suspended",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/epl-referees-who-awarded-haalands-goal-in-manchester-derby-suspended",
        "published": "2026-09-14T17:08:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}