
Pro Ref chief Webb blames VAR ‘tunnel vision’ for Manchester derby error
The incident underscores the limitations of relying solely on technology in sports officiating, highlighting the need for human judgment in VAR decisions.

The incident underscores the limitations of relying solely on technology in sports officiating, highlighting the need for human judgment in VAR decisions.

Pro Ref chief refereeing officer Howard Webb explains to Match Officials Mic'd Up why Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes escaped any punishment despite his involvement in the incident that saw Phil Foden sent off in the Manchester derby.

Pro Ref chief Howard Webb has backed the decision to send off Phil Foden in the Manchester derby but revealed VAR could not intervene to caution Bruno Fernandes for the "petulant" kick that sparked the altercation.

Speaking on Match Officials Mic'd Up, Pro Ref chief Howard Webb says that there will be a review into how the VAR process decided to allow Erling Haaland's goal for Manchester City against Manchester United to stand.

Pro Ref chief Howard Webb says VAR missed Enzo Fernandez being offside for Erling Haaland's winning goal in the Manchester derby due to "tunnel vision".

Webb wants to stop ‘ridiculous situations’ Says VAR officials in United v City had ‘tunnel vision’ Howard Webb has described the law around accidental handball as “a bit of a nonsense” and called for its reform to stop referees being drawn into “ridiculous situations”. The chief refereeing officer for English football made his remarks on Tuesday, when he also fronted up over the error that allowed Manchester City to win Sunday’s Manchester derby. Webb said he was “really disappointed” with the video assistant referee call that failed to spot Enzo Fernández interfering with play from an offside position before Erling Haaland scored the only goal . Continue reading...

Referees' chief Howard Webb admits that the video assistant referee failed to assess the offside offence by Enzo Fernandez for the winning goal in Sunday's Manchester derby.

A Ryanair flight from Manchester to Madrid requested a full technical inspection upon landing in the Spanish capital following a suspected bird strike during departure from England. MADRID — Flight FR3187, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8 (registration EI-IFV), took off from Manchester Airport‘s runway 23L at 1:45 PM BST. Despite the potential incident […]

The chief refereeing officer stands down two VAR officials involved in Man City's win at United from upcoming EPL games.

Matt Donohue is only human and made a mistake, but overall referees have started well this season There was a disappointing outcome on a big decision in the Manchester derby and no one will feel it more than the video assistant referee, Matt Donohue. On Sunday night, Pro Ref confirmed that Donohue had made a mistake in allowing Erling Haaland’s goal in City’s 1-0 victory to stand when Enzo Fernández had been in an offside position. When a VAR considers a decision such as this they start from the point at which the goal is scored and work backwards. Here, when Haaland scores, the flag is raised by the assistant referee for offside. The VAR automatically checked that on-field decision and used a semi‑automated system to show Haaland was onside. The decision was then made to overturn the call and award the goal. Continue reading...

The video assistant referee for the Manchester derby, Matt Donohue, and his assistant VAR, Blake Antrobus, are not appointed for this weekend's Premier League games.

Max Rushden is joined by B arry Glendenning , Barney Ronay and John Brewin to discuss the weekend’s Premier League action Continue reading...

Matt Donohue and his assistant not used this weekend Pro Ref said allowing winner was ‘error of judgment’ The video assistant referee officials who allowed Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday have been stood down from their responsibilities. Matt Donohue and his assistant, Blake Antrobus, have been told by Pro Ref they have not received appointments for the next round of Premier League fixtures, due to take place next weekend. Continue reading...

"Today is gonna be the day..." Fans of the Manchester rock band get an eagerly anticipated fresh round of shows, after their massive Oasis: Live '25 reunion tour...

The band have officially announced the anticipated second wave of their hit reunion tour shows.

The North American leg will bring the Manchester band to Boston and Las Vegas

In a bad-tempered meeting at Old Trafford, United and City showed they are far from the finished product Sign up for our free newsletter here While London has a host of top-flight clubs and Liverpool have been regular contenders, the story of the Premier League can almost entirely be told with Mancunian main characters. From Manchester United’s decade-plus of dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson to Manchester City’s emergence among the oil baron class, with a grip made firmer under Pep Guardiola’s guidance, it seems one must always beat a Manchester club to the title. Never before has the trophy spent more three seasons before returning to one of these two clubs, with a pair of three-year roadshows in the mid-2000s and mid-2010s. Continue reading...

Max Rushden is joined by B arry Glendenning , Barney Ronay and John Brewin to discuss the weekend’s Premier League action On the podcast today: Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Barney Ronay, and John Brewin to round up the weekend’s Premier League action. Manchester City beat Manchester United at Old Trafford with a controversial Erling Haaland goal. Has the job of referees become too difficult for regular folk, and do we need Nasa scientists or data wonks instead at Pro Ref? Continue reading...

Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd discuss whether Bruno Fernandes and Phil Foden should have both been sent off in the Manchester derby?

Manchester United must regroup after a heavy home loss to Chelsea while Crystal Palace frustrated the Gunners The frustration among Manchester United fans at full-time was evident at Leigh Sports Village after they had watched their team get thrashed 5-0 by a rampant Chelsea. There are certainly things to be worried about, but perhaps judging United’s new manager, Eva Olid, on the basis of how they performed against Sonia Bompastor’s established side is a little premature. The likelihood of United taking three points was always slim, despite the false hope delivered by Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa the preceding weekend. Chelsea have not been an easy opponent for the Red Devils, who have only lost three WSL games by more than three goals, all against Chelsea. Having had only three weeks with her side, Olid had a harsh WSL baptism with defeats to London City Lionesses and Chelsea and United face Arsenal next. “These are difficult games to build the confidence in attack, but I’m here to build an identity, and I have to be faithful to that,” said the Spaniard. Suzanne Wrack Match report: Manchester United 0-5 Chelsea WSL roundup: Arsenal rue misses in Palace draw Match report: West Ham 2-1 London City Lionesses Continue reading...