Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Referee chief Howard Webb has attempted to explain the VAR mistake that decided the Manchester Derby.
The officiating mistake for Erling Haaland’s ‘winner’ was so blatant that Manchester United were issued a formal apology within hours of the game finishing. There have been subsequent calls for VAR to be scrapped entirely.
Amid growing pressure, referee chief Howard Webb has been wheeled out to try and explain the mistake.
But there is no explaining the indefensible. All that Webb had to offer was essentially repeating Dermot Gallagher’s claims that the VAR chief and his assistant ‘lost focus’. Both have subsequently been stood down from their roles.
Webb stated: “I was really disappointed with this outcome. We all are. 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.”
Webb said that the officials got ‘tunnel vision’ over whether Enzo Fernandez had touched the ball, and failed to consider whether he was interfering with play – which he quite clearly was, with his presence occupying both Senne Lammens and Lisandro Martinez.
Reaction to Howard Webb
Howard Webb’s comments have drawn a scathing response, opening up further criticism towards VAR and those who operate the system.
Dominic King of The Telegraph posted on X: “This Howard Webb “explanation” on the Haaland ‘goal’ is scandalous… It’s all well blaming the guys in the hub but the rules have been changed so often nobody knows what is going on. They have destroyed the game.”
The Mail’s Ian Ladyman added: “I’m firmly of the view and have been for ages that Howard Webb talks too much. Endless replaying & microscopic retelling of mistakes and cock-ups may be well intentioned but helps nobody. The only thing that helps is better decisions & processes in VAR booth. The rest is noise.”
And Richard Keys blasted: “So Howard Webb blames ‘tunnel vision’ for the howler at OT. What exactly does that mean? Is it catching? Does anyone else have it? What utter nonsense. It was incompetence. Reffing hasn’t got any better since he took over. Perhaps it’s time for a change?”
Henry Winter added that Webb ‘needs to be held to account properly’, rather than presenting a pre-prepared explanation with Michael Owen.
There will be no VAR in operation this week when Manchester United face Brighton in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford, per competition rules. It comes into effect at the semi-final stage. Let’s see if United can get there.