‎Disappointing! Howard Webb slams ‘tunnel vision’ that missed Man City goal

‎‎Howard Webb has admitted that VAR Matt Donohue missed the offside call that led to Manchester City scoring the winner against Manchester United last weekend.

‎Erling Haaland scored for City in a 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday and the goal was awarded after a lengthy review.

‎Haaland’s goal was controversial as City midfielder Enzo Fernandez appeared to be in an offside position and interfering with playing, despite him not touching the ball.

‎A post from the Premier League Match Centre read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded.

‎”The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball.”

‎Following the game, referee governing body Pro Ref admitted that it was the wrong decision, with VAR Donohue and assistant Blake Antrobus not featuring in the next set of Premier League matches.

Erling Haaland’s goal against Manchester United should not have counted. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

‎Pro Ref chief Webb has now addressed the issue.

‎”I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are,” he said on Match Officials Mic’d Up, per the BBC.

‎”None more so than the officials themselves. They take a lot of personal pride in what they do and they’re obviously hurting now, having fallen short in this situation.

‎”They’ll not be officiating again until after the international break.”

‎Webb, a former referee himself, added: “The VAR gets super-focused on Haaland. He establishes he’s onside, he thinks that’s a good goal.

‎”He doesn’t truly evaluate the full impact of Fernandez’s position. He has a look to see if he touches the ball, because then that relates to potentially knocking it to Haaland, who goes on to score.

‎”In that moment, he gets tunnel vision. It’s down to the rest of his team to pull him out of that tunnel, and unfortunately, that didn’t happen on this occasion.

‎”What looks like a really clear subjective offside, because Fernandez doesn’t touch the ball but still clearly impacts [the play but] doesn’t get identified, and it’s really disappointing.

‎”This goal should’ve been disallowed. And highly unfortunately, it wasn’t, and we’ll review it, reflect upon it, and try to take the learning forward to prevent this unusual type of error from happening again.”

‎The latest error has reignited questions over whether or not VAR should remain in the Premier League.