{
  "id": 7634262,
  "title": "Referees chief Webb ‘really disappointed’ over VAR error in Manchester derby",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/referees-chief-webb-really-disappointed-over-var-error-in-manchester-7634262",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T20:47:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/16/referees-chief-webb-really-disappointed-over-var-error-in-manchester-derby"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Referee chief Howard Webb expressed his disappointment over a VAR error that allowed Erling Haaland to score the winning goal in last weekend's Manchester derby between Manchester City and Manchester United. The goal, scored in the second half of City's victory at Old Trafford, initially had offside called but was overturned by VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus. Donohue ruled City midfielder Enzo Fernandez as not interfering with play when he tried to reach the ball before Haaland scored the decisive goal. City went on to win 1-0, but the incident overshadowed the match, with United manager Michael Carrick stating he was \"staggered\" by the decision. Donohue and Antrobus have been stood down for the weekend's Premier League matches. Webb, the chief refereeing officer at Pro Ref, said on the Match Officials: Mic d Up programme that he was \"really disappointed\" with the outcome, emphasizing that officials take pride in their work and are now hurting due to their mistake. He stated that they will review the incident to prevent a similar error from happening again.",
  "summary": "Erling Haaland’s close-range finish from Josko Gvardiol’s cross was initially ruled offside but overturned by VAR officials.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "VAR missed Fernandez offside in Manchester derby - Webb",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/var-missed-fernandez-offside-in-manchester-derby-webb",
        "published": "2026-09-15T16:00:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "VAR audio of Erling Haaland’s controversial Manchester derby winner released",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/var-audio-of-erling-haalands-controversial-manchester-derby-winner",
        "published": "2026-09-15T16:50:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Referees chief Webb 'really disappointed' over VAR error in Manchester derby",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/referees-chief-webb-really-disappointed-over-var-error-in-manchester",
        "published": "2026-09-15T17:07:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Referees chief Webb ‘really disappointed’ over VAR error in Manchester derby",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/referees-chief-webb-really-disappointed-over-var-error-in-manchester-7638894",
        "published": "2026-09-15T20:47:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}