{
  "id": 7638894,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T20:47:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "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 Howard Webb expressed deep disappointment over a recent VAR error that awarded a winner to Erling Haaland in the Manchester derby. The decisive goal, scored in the second half of Manchester City's victory against Manchester United, was initially ruled out for offside but later overturned by VAR officials. City secured a 1-0 win, yet the controversy surrounding the goal overshadowed the result. United manager Michael Carrick was taken aback by the decision, citing Fernandez's potential distraction to goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Donohue and his assistant Blake Antrobus have been suspended for the upcoming weekend's Premier League matches. Webb, Pro Ref's chief refereeing officer, admitted he was disappointed that the officials fell short in this situation. He explained that Donohue's focus on Haaland clouded his judgment, and the rest of his team failed to alert him to the error. Webb pledged that the VAR officials would review the incident and learn from it to prevent such errors in the future.",
  "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-7634262",
        "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."
}