Erling Haaland
Scores of fans on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) have taken a swipe at refereeing governing body Pro Ref for admitting that VAR made an error allowing the winning goal scored by Erling Halaand in Sunday’s Manchester derby to stand.
The second half goal scored by Halaand was initially not given for offside but after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was given with officials ruling that the Norwegian striker had been played onside by the foot of Manchester United defender, Patrick Dorgu.
Manchester United coach Michael Carrick was livid over the decision of the centre referee to allow the goal scored by Halaand saying it is weird how the officials interpreted the action.
“How you can say Enzo Fernandez does not interfere with the play literally is beyond me. It’s staggering… It’s really weird to me how that’s interpreted.
“I could not understand it when I saw it, and then the explanation made it WORSE,” Carrick told Sky.
However, Pro Ref in a statement issued hours after the game, ruled that on-field referee Michael Oliver should have been instructed by VAR to review the incident because Enzo Fernandez appeared to be offside and interfering with play as the ball was played across the 18-yard box to Halaand.
It also contacted Manchester United after the match to acknowledge the mistake and announced that a full review of the incident will take place.
Pro Ref in its statement confirmed “an error of judgement” in Haaland’s goal.
“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,” the statement concluded.
The admission made by the refereeing governing body has drawn the ire of scores of fans and critics alike on X with many questioning the inconsistencies of VAR and the effect it is having on the round leather game.
In this article, FirstDailySports captures the reactions of fans on X who are miffed at the decision to allow Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby and the eventual confirmation of the VAR blunder by Pro Ref.
Read Also: Top shocking results in Europe over the weekend
See reactions below;
@MyMonday_notes said: “Calling it an “error of judgement” after the 60th-minute Haaland goal is a remarkably polite way to leave United holding the apology.”
@dalo59 wrote: @PGMOL_FA with their VAR and particularly Michael Oliver (including Webb) need sanctioning. An investigation may lead to some sinister motive for their actions.
@Don_Tee added: “Let me explain what likely happened. At HT, the ref got to review and reflect on the red card given to Foden and realized that it was unfair after what Bruno had done to Foden.
“He then tried to balance out the wrong call in favour of united by giving another wrong call In favour of City, hence, ruling that the city goal should stand.
“This is how horrible the officiating in the epl has become.”
@Officiazayin noted: “These PL officials do this on purpose. They know they can do this, let their favored team get an advantage or even win, then later come and acknowledge a mistake but they know it will not change the outcome because at the end of the game, the win will still stand.
“Them acknowledging wrong doing doesn’t change the outcome of the game which was their plan in the first place.”
@Oluwatii91751393 reacted saying: “I keep saying this, since the inception of VAR, officiating has been corrupted they basically do what goes in their favor, how can there be an error when you take more than 3 mins to review the goal ffs…shame one EPL !!!!!!!”
@FlexFootballxx suggested; “Everyone has been so obsessed with Arsenal these past two seasons forcing the narrative PGMOL favours Arsenal and completely forgotten how Man City have match fixed and done again vs Man United.
“Halaand was offside and Enzo Fernandez is clearly interfering with play where his head is centimetres away from the ball
“A apology means f*ck all. Take away the goal and give man United 1 point.”
How fans are reacting to Pro Ref apology over controversial Manchester derby goal
Scores of fans on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) have taken a swipe at refereeing governing body Pro Ref for admitting that VAR made an error allowing the winning goal scored by Erling Halaand in Sunday’s Manchester derby to stand.
The second half goal scored by Halaand was initially not given for offside but after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was given with officials ruling that the Norwegian striker had been played onside by the foot of Manchester United defender, Patrick Dorgu.
Manchester United coach Michael Carrick was livid over the decision of the centre referee to allow the goal scored by Halaand saying it is weird how the officials interpreted the action.
“How you can say Enzo Fernandez does not interfere with the play literally is beyond me. It’s staggering… It’s really weird to me how that’s interpreted.
“I could not understand it when I saw it, and then the explanation made it WORSE,” Carrick told Sky.
However, Pro Ref in a statement issued hours after the game, ruled that on-field referee Michael Oliver should have been instructed by VAR to review the incident because Enzo Fernandez appeared to be offside and interfering with play as the ball was played across the 18-yard box to Halaand.
It also contacted Manchester United after the match to acknowledge the mistake and announced that a full review of the incident will take place.
Pro Ref in its statement confirmed “an error of judgement” in Haaland’s goal.
“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,” the statement concluded.
The admission made by the refereeing governing body has drawn the ire of scores of fans and critics alike on X with many questioning the inconsistencies of VAR and the effect it is having on the round leather game.
In this article, FirstDailySports captures the reactions of fans on X who are miffed at the decision to allow Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby and the eventual confirmation of the VAR blunder by Pro Ref.
Read Also: Top shocking results in Europe over the weekend
See reactions below;
@MyMonday_notes said: “Calling it an “error of judgement” after the 60th-minute Haaland goal is a remarkably polite way to leave United holding the apology.”
@dalo59 wrote: @PGMOL_FA with their VAR and particularly Michael Oliver (including Webb) need sanctioning. An investigation may lead to some sinister motive for their actions.
@Don_Tee added: “Let me explain what likely happened. At HT, the ref got to review and reflect on the red card given to Foden and realized that it was unfair after what Bruno had done to Foden.
“He then tried to balance out the wrong call in favour of united by giving another wrong call In favour of City, hence, ruling that the city goal should stand.
“This is how horrible the officiating in the epl has become.”
@Officiazayin noted: “These PL officials do this on purpose. They know they can do this, let their favored team get an advantage or even win, then later come and acknowledge a mistake but they know it will not change the outcome because at the end of the game, the win will still stand.
“Them acknowledging wrong doing doesn’t change the outcome of the game which was their plan in the first place.”
@Oluwatii91751393 reacted saying: “I keep saying this, since the inception of VAR, officiating has been corrupted they basically do what goes in their favor, how can there be an error when you take more than 3 mins to review the goal ffs…shame one EPL !!!!!!!”
@FlexFootballxx suggested; “Everyone has been so obsessed with Arsenal these past two seasons forcing the narrative PGMOL favours Arsenal and completely forgotten how Man City have match fixed and done again vs Man United.
“Halaand was offside and Enzo Fernandez is clearly interfering with play where his head is centimetres away from the ball
“A apology means f*ck all. Take away the goal and give man United 1 point.”
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