Howard Webb, the Football Association's head of refereeing, has admitted that the video assistant referee (VAR) did not consider whether Enzo Fernández was in an offside position when Erling Haaland scored the disputed late winner in Sunday’s Manchester derby.
The goal, which decided the high-profile fixture, sparked immediate controversy among supporters and pundits over whether Fernández’s positioning should have been assessed by VAR. Webb’s acknowledgement makes clear that the specific offside angle was not part of the VAR review in this instance.
VAR is normally tasked with identifying clear and obvious errors in four match-changing situations — goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity — and offside checks are a frequent focus in goal decisions. Webb’s admission raises questions about how the VAR team prioritised aspects of the review and whether protocol was followed in full for this particular incident.
The revelation is likely to intensify scrutiny of VAR processes and decision-making in elite matches. Webb’s comments may prompt calls for clarification from governing bodies and further examination of the technology’s application in pivotal moments of major fixtures.