Legal action against Premier League over VAR 'is coming', warns former top referee after Haaland offside blunder

Former top-level referee Janie Frampton has warned that legal action against the Premier League over VAR errors is inevitable, pointing to the controversial Erling Haaland goal that settled Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United as a flashpoint that could define the season.

Pro Ref, the professional referees’ body, has since admitted that Haaland’s winner should have been ruled out for offside after Enzo Fernandez strayed in front of United’s back four and interfered with play. Despite that post-match verdict, the goal stood because VAR officials at the time judged that Fernandez had not impacted the situation — a call that overruled on-field referee Michael Oliver, who had initially disallowed the strike.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Frampton was unequivocal about where the controversy is heading. “I think that is coming,” she said of potential legal action. “So, if we look at a scenario at the end of the season and you look at the fact that, say Man City win the Premier League with two points, there is always going to be a question over this one game and this one decision. I think with the amount of money slushing around in football now you are, at some point, going to get somebody who challenges that.”

Frampton also questioned the fundamental structure of VAR decision-making, arguing that the system needs a complete overhaul starting from who holds final authority. “When you look at Michael Oliver, there is no more experienced referee in this country and he disallowed the goal,” she said. “How on Earth was VAR allowed to overrule him? I believe really strongly that Michael is also at fault here — he should have overruled VAR.”

The result leaves Manchester United with two defeats, one win and one draw from their opening four Premier League fixtures. Manager Michael Carrick, who took over from Ruben Amorim, has already matched the number of league defeats he accumulated during his entire temporary spell in charge last year.

Carrick was candid about his frustration after the final whistle. “I can’t understand how they’re trying to help referees and putting so many layers behind them with so many people, screens, and so many whatever offices to try and come up with the right decisions,” he said. “If that’s how the rules are interpreted, that you’re not interfering with play — I just don’t get it.”

The win moved City level on points with Arsenal at the top of the table, adding further weight to Frampton’s argument that a single disputed decision could yet prove decisive in the title race, European qualification, or the relegation battle.