Sport · Singapore Bureau
VAR error mars Manchester derby as City goal allowed to stand
Professional referees have acknowledged a mistake in allowing Manchester City's winning goal in the Manchester derby, with VAR officials determining an offside player was in an inactive position. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick expressed concern over the controversial decision.
LSN Singapore ·
Manchester City's victory over Manchester United has been overshadowed by a VAR error that saw a goal allowed to stand despite an offside player being involved in the build-up. Professional football's refereeing body acknowledged the mistake following the high-profile clash between the two Premier League rivals. The controversy centred on whether an offside player materially interfered with play during the goal-scoring sequence, a key factor in determining whether to disallow the effort. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick voiced his frustration with the decision, describing himself as "worried" by how VAR had handled the incident. The acknowledgment of the error by professional referees underscores ongoing concerns about the consistency and application of video assistant referee technology in English football. Such high-profile mistakes continue to fuel debate among managers and fans about whether VAR is enhancing or detracting from the sport.