Neville demands apology from officials over Haaland's offside controversy in Manchester Derby

Gary Neville has called on Pro Ref to issue a public apology after Erling Haaland’s controversial goal handed 10-man Manchester City a victory at Old Trafford in the Manchester Derby. The strike, assisted by a deflected Josko Gvardiol cross, was initially ruled out for offside before VAR overturned the on-field decision.

The Premier League Match Centre explained that Haaland was played onside by Patrick Dorgu, and that although Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position as the ball passed him, VAR determined he did not play it. It was that second conclusion that drew the sharpest criticism.

Neville, speaking during co-commentary, was unconvinced from the outset. “The officials will be nervous about this goal,” he said. “When they look back on this, they will recognise they got this wrong. The question is does Fernandez, who is offside, stop Martinez getting the ball? He does.”

After hearing the official explanation, Neville went further: “They’re the words that I think — emphatically — means we will see an apology from Pro Ref. There is no doubt that Enzo is attempting to play the ball and putting Lisandro Martinez off. It’s a really strange one. They’ll recognise they got that wrong.”

Neville did acknowledge that “Manchester City have been very good” but insisted there should be “a massive inquest into the goal which I think was wrongly given.”

Wayne Rooney echoed the sentiment: “Surely it’s offside. Martinez is impacted by Enzo’s movement, and he is offside.”

Rio Ferdinand posted a screengrab on X showing Fernandez stretching to head the ball, alongside the pointed question: “Enzo Fernandez not played the ball?”

Former City defender Micah Richards was equally critical: “I think it’s been a bad day for referees, it’s been a bad day for VAR. I think they got the Phil Foden decision wrong on 23 minutes and they got this decision wrong. How can you say that Enzo Fernandez is not challenging for the ball? I’ve been in that situation as a defender and any slight movement can make the difference between going for the ball or not. Of course it affects it — I just think they’ve got it so wrong.”