VARs who wrongly confirmed Haaland’s goal at Manchester United are stood down

The video assistant referee officials who allowed Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday have been stood down. Matt Donohue and his assistant, Blake Antrobus, have been told by Pro Ref they have not received appointments for this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures.

The chief refereeing officer, Howard Webb, took the decision with his management team after a review of the weekend’s action. Their availability will be reconsidered after the international break.

Donohoe was called on to check Michael Oliver’s decision to disallow Haaland’s 60th-minute goal for offside. Using semi-automated offside technology, Donohoe was able to establish that the Manchester City striker was onside and overturned Oliver’s call. However, he failed to spot Enzo Fernández had influenced play from an offside position, an infringement Pro Ref said should have led him to recommend an on-field review.

This is the first time officials have been made to stand down this season owing to an error. Donohoe, an EFL referee since 2018, has taken charge of three Championship matches this season as well as his VAR work. His EFL profile says he has completed Pro Ref’s “Enhanced VAR Training Programme”. Antrobus is also an assistant referee in the Premier League and ran the line in the first three matchdays.

Pro Ref acknowledged an “error of judgment” in the Haaland incident in a statement on Sunday night and is understood to have contacted Manchester United to explain the mistake.

Arsenal have requested more information from Pro Ref on the decision that led to Sunderland being awarded a penalty at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Mikel Arteta described John Brooks’s call as “unacceptable at this level” and Arsenal are expected to ask Pro Ref why the VAR did not intervene.