Webb Criticizes VAR for Failing to Spot Fernandez Offside in Manchester Derby

One of the key questions raised by supporters was how the VAR team could have concluded that Fernandez had not committed an offside offence.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was in close proximity to the play, while goalkeeper Sanne Lammens was positioned to allow Fernandez to reach the ball.

The Mic’d Up audio provided a clear explanation. At no point did Donohue or Antrobus consider the offside call, as Webb described, because they became fixated on Haaland — a case of “tunnel vision.”

Semi-automated offside technology confirmed to VAR that Haaland was three centimetres onside from Josko Gvardiol’s cross.

However, the video officials then only checked whether Fernandez had made a touch that would have initiated a new phase of play against the Norway international.

“The VAR gets super-focused on Haaland,” said Webb, who had already been in contact with Manchester United to share the VAR audio and video footage.

“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, 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.”

Source link