Matt Donohue, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for Sunday’s Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United, has not been given charge of any game in the next set of Premier League fixtures.
Assistant VAR Blake Antrobus has also not been given any assignment.
Reuters reported that the decision was taken by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and the management team, with neither official expected to return to duty until at least after the international break.
The VAR was at the centre of a controversy in the Manchester derby after Erling Haaland’s 60ht-minute goal stood despite interference from Enzo Fernandez from an offside position in the lead-up.
Pro Ref, the body responsible for officiating in the Premier League, later admitted in a statement that the VAR was wrong to allow Haaland’s decisive goal.
Published on Sep 14, 2026