Decision to allow Haaland goal was ‘error’, admits ref body after Man United fumed at injustice
Lisandro Martinez claimed that Manchester United were the victims of an ‘injustice’ after Erling Haaland’s controversial winner for Manchester City was allowed to stand at Old Trafford yesterday.
Haaland scored a record ninth Premier League goal in the Manchester derby to give 10-man City victory following Phil Foden’s sending-off in the 23rd minute for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes.
But United were furious that VAR official Matt Donohue decided Enzo Fernandez was not offside in the build-up because City’s new £125million signing did not touch the ball when he competed with United defender Martinez in front of goal to reach Josko Gvardiol’s cross.
‘It’s the best league in the world, you have the best teams in the world, the best players in the world, and now we have to go home with this injustice,’ fumed Martinez.
‘I think it was offside. What I can’t understand is the rules. He (Fernandez) was there, in front of me, and I went to him. So that’s why Haaland was free at the back.
‘It’s so hard because you lose a derby and you lose three points at home. Every season they’re coming to our club and explaining the rules for an hour-and-a-half. They look so confident, and then after that five or six people are making these kind of mistakes. It’s unacceptable.’
Lisandro Martinez was seething after Erling Haaland’s controversial goal was allowed to stand
Haaland’s goal was given after a VAR review, with it having originally been ruled offside
However, Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position and attempted to go for the ball
The rules state that a player in an offside position will be penalised if they impact an opponent by attempting to play the ball.
United head coach Michael Carrick was just as upset as Martinez, saying: ‘I really don’t get it.
‘I can’t understand how they’re trying to help referees by putting so many layers behind them – with so many people, so many bodies, so many screens – and you’re not interfering with play because you’ve thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal and nearly touched it.
‘It’s worrying if that’s really how the game’s seen by those who are officiating it.’
When it was mentioned to Carrick that the Professional Game Referees body have issued apologies in the past, he replied sarcastically: ‘That would be great, I can’t wait for that one! It’s best left, I think. I don’t really know how you go and get another explanation on that one.’
However, soon after Carrick’s words, Pro Ref, the refereeing body, did share an apology and admitted the wrong decision had been made.
A Pro Ref spokesperson said: ‘Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland’s awarded goal.
‘The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.
‘In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.
‘Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.’
At the time, Gary Neville had been left confused on Sky Sports’ commentary and criticised the decision, insisting the officials had got things wrong.
A furious Lisandro Martinez claimed that United were the victims of an ‘injustice’
He said: ‘I will need the offside explained to me. The officials will be nervous about this goal.
‘When they look back on this, they will recognise they got this wrong. The question is does Fernandez, who is offside, stop Martinez getting the ball? He does.’
When reminded that the rules state a player can still be offside even if they don’t touch the ball, Neville replied: ‘They’re the words that I think – emphatically – mean we will see an apology from Pro Ref.
‘There is no doubt that Enzo is attempting to play the ball and putting Lisandro Martinez off.
‘It’s a really strange one. They’ll recognise they got that wrong.’
Meanwhile, Foden was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver when he retaliated to Fernandes kicking him in the back while he was on the ground by lashing out at the United captain.
City boss Enzo Maresca said: ‘Phil Foden’s red card is red card, but I also think it’s a red card for Bruno. To win a game with 10 players is special, but it is even more special when it is Manchester derby.’
