Photo via BBC Sport

Refereeing body admits judgement error over Haaland derby winner

Refereeing authority Pro Ref has conceded that video review officials made a faulty assessment when permitting Erling Haaland's decisive goal during Manchester City's victory over Manchester United. The visitors were reduced to ten players in the 23rd minute when referee Michael Oliver issued Phil Foden an immediate dismissal for striking Bruno Fernandes in the stomach.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Haaland found the net an hour into the clash at Old Trafford, converting Josko Gvardiol's cross after an initial offside flag was overturned because Patrick Dorgu's foot kept him onside.

Controversy arose because Enzo Fernandez occupied an offside spot and dove toward the redirected ball without touching it, prompting United manager Michael Carrick to voice bewilderment and Lisandro Martinez to label the ruling unjust. Pro Ref subsequently reached out to Manchester United to acknowledge that the video assistant referee failed to account for the impact of Fernandez's movements and incorrectly omitted a pitchside monitor review, promising a formal evaluation of the sequence.