Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) has contacted Manchester United to confirm that an 'error of judgement' was made in awarding Erling Haaland's goal that gave Manchester City a 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday. The governing body for Premier League match officials issued a statement acknowledging the mistake and has offered an official apology to the club.
VAR failed to recommend on-field review
In a statement, Pro Ref 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.'
The statement continued: '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.'
Pro Ref added: '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.'
Formal review and apology issued
United have received an official apology for the incorrect call, and a formal review of the incident will be carried out in due course. The acknowledgment follows widespread debate over the decision that proved decisive in the derby clash.
Pro Ref, formerly known as Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), is the body that oversees all Premier League, English Football League (EFL), WSL Football and Football Association (FA) competitions. Funded by the competitions it serves, Pro Ref works in collaboration with them to deliver a long-term match-officiating strategy under the leadership of Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb and Chief Operating Officer Danielle Every.
Pro Ref's officiating strategy and future investment
The organisation's strategy is focused on continually enhancing officiating and broadening the pool of high-performing match officials, ensuring the professional game has access to the best referees and assistant referees in England. Increased funding from the Premier League, EFL, The FA and WSL Football as part of a new three-year agreement will build on progress made through the Premier League-driven Elite Referee Development Plan (ERDP).
The ERDP – due to enter its fifth year of significant funding – has enabled Pro Ref to put a more modern and dynamic pathway in place, which will continue to provide opportunities to those ready to officiate across various levels of the professional game. That funding will also see further investment in supporting and accelerating the next generation of talent, with an emphasis on a revamped Development Group and the CORE X programme, as well as educating and providing a stronger understanding of officiating to Academy players.
These initiatives will continue to complement The FA's model across grassroots and semi-professional levels while strengthening the refereeing pathway both now and in the future. The change from PGMO to Pro Ref signals a new chapter for professional refereeing in England, underpinning a period of ongoing transformation for the organisation, albeit with the same aim – to deliver the highest possible standards of refereeing in the country for the benefit of the game.
