Wayne Rooney has expressed his strong disapproval of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, labeling a decision in the Manchester derby as "horrendous" and "baffling." The controversy centered on Erling Haaland's winning goal for Manchester City against Manchester United, which stood despite a perceived interference from an offside player.
Refereeing body Pro Ref has since admitted that the decision was a mistake and issued an apology to Manchester United. The incident involved City midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position and appeared to interfere with play before Haaland scored. The VAR official, Matt Donohue, allowed the goal, reportedly on the basis that Fernandez did not touch the ball.
Rooney, speaking on Match of the Day, stated, "I'm just so sick of this VAR. I think it's horrendous. It's taken all the emotion out of the game, the energy which the game is played with." He added, "To not see that and recognise that Enzo Fernandez is in an offside position, anyone who's played the game at any level understands and knows that he's in an offside position. To get it so wrong, it's just baffling."
The VAR review initially focused on Haaland, who appeared offside from the initial cross. However, the crucial element was Fernandez's proximity and potential impact on Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez. According to the rules, a player in an offside position must be penalized if they affect an opponent by attempting to play the ball.
Joe Hart, a former Manchester City goalkeeper, expressed his disbelief. "The fact that Enzo Fernandez is there and makes an attempt to go for the ball, that affects him," Hart said. "So therefore, by the letter of the law... I can't believe, I absolutely cannot believe that all the people that are involved in making this decision and they've come up with that Enzo Fernandez did not impact the play, because anyone involved in football will tell you right there that he did."
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick also voiced his disappointment. "If that's the interpretation of not interfering in the game now, that's really worrying for me. It's a staggering explanation," he commented. "I just don't get it. I really don't get it. I can't understand how they're trying to help referees and putting so many layers behind them with so many people, so many screens, and so many whatever offices they are to try and come up with the right decisions."
Martinez echoed these sentiments, calling the decision an "injustice." He explained, "He (Fernandez) was there, in front of me, and I went to him. So that's why Haaland was free at the back. It's so hard because you lose a derby and you lose three points at home... It's unacceptable."
Pro Ref, formerly the PGMOL, confirmed the error, stating, "The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position. In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review. Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place."