Maresca defends VAR after Manchester City benefits from officiating error

Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City won the Manchester derby this weekend. | Photo Credit: AP

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has expressed his sympathy for VAR officials after an officiating error helped his side win the Manchester derby over the weekend.

Erling Haaland’s winner was controversially allowed to help City secure a 1-0 win over local rival Manchester United and maintain its perfect record in the league.

Haaland had intially been ruled offside, but VAR ruled he was being played onside by United defender Patrick Dorgu. However, the VAR neglected to account for Enzo Fernandez, who was interfering in play from an offside position.

Referee organisation Pro Ref later admitted that the officials had made an error in their process.

“Sometimes they go for you, the decisions, sometimes they go against you,” Maresca said. “But also it’s not easy, I think, for the VAR, for the people that are in front of the screen, and in 10 seconds, 20 seconds they have to make a decision.

“It’s not easy for them. Sometimes they make some mistakes. I make mistakes, players make mistakes, I think it’s part of our job.”

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The Italian also noted the similarities between Haaland’s goal and a goal scored by Bruno Fernandes in 2022/23 season despite Marcus Rashford being in an offside position.

“Three years ago, when I was here, it happened exactly the same against Man United,” said the former Chelsea boss.

“We lost the derby there. The goal was not a regular goal, if you remember. To be honest, no one apologised. We are still waiting for the apology for that goal.

“Sometimes it happens for you, sometimes it happens against you. It’s football.”