VAR error sidelines Matt Donohue from Manchester Premier League duties

Matt Donohue, the VAR who awarded Manchester City’s winning goal in Sunday’s Manchester derby, will not be assigned to a Premier League match this weekend after the governing body admitted his decision was an error. Pro Ref said the mistake involved a missed off‑side call on Enzo Fernandez and that referee Michael Oliver was not sent to the screen.

Donohue, together with assistant Blake Antrobus, awarded the goal after a VAR check, despite Enzo Fernandez appearing to interfere from an off‑side position. Pro Ref later conceded it had been an error not to send referee Michael Oliver to the screen to assess Fernandez’s involvement. The on‑field decision had initially disallowed the goal for off‑side before the review deemed Haaland on‑side via Patrick Dorgu.

THE decision sparked debate across the football community.

Consequences for the official

Donohue will not officiate any Premier League match this weekend, and the Press Association reports he will be unavailable for top‑flight duties until at least 10 October, after the international break. The suspension also applies to assistant Blake Antrobus.

Michael Oliver will instead referee the Sunday clash between Bournemouth and Liverpool, ensuring the fixture proceeds with an experienced official. The league thus avoids further controversy while the incident remains under review.

Background and media response

Donohue made his Premier League debut in May 2024 after rising through the EFL assistant referees list in 2014. Over the past two years he has been deployed extensively as a VAR. Howard Webb, Pro Ref’s chief refereeing officer, is slated to discuss the incident on Tuesday. The segment is expected to address the decision and its implications for VAR protocol.

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