Manchester: The referees’ panel acknowledged the error in awarding Manchester City’s goal in the recent derby against Manchester United. The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) admitted that the decision to allow Erling Haaland’s crucial goal, which led to City’s 1-0 victory in the fourth round of the English Premier League, was an “error of judgment.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the controversy arose when Manchester City, reduced to ten men after Phil Foden’s dismissal for an altercation with Bruno Fernandes, saw Haaland score the match’s only goal in the 60th minute. The goal followed a cross from City’s defender Josko Gvardiol. Initially ruled offside, the decision was overturned by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), despite City’s midfielder Ansu Fernandez being in an offside position and attempting to engage with the play before Haaland scored.

The Premier League’s Match Centre later posted on social media that the VAR had determined Haaland was onside and that Fernandez, although offside, did not make contact with the ball. However, the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) subsequently clarified that the VAR failed to assess the potential influence of Fernandez’s position and should have advised a review at the pitch-side monitor.

The PGMOL’s statement further mentioned that Manchester United had been contacted to acknowledge what was considered an error of judgment, and a review of the incident is planned. Following the match, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick expressed concern over the refereeing decision that validated Haaland’s goal.

Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez, involved in the contentious moment, stated that he was visibly impacted by Fernandez’s positioning, describing the decision to allow City’s goal as “unfair.”