English
Indian
العربية
Español
Deutsch
Türkçe
Русский
Français (Afrique)
Refereeing body admits judgement error over Haaland derby winner
LONDON, United The Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref has admitted an “error of judgement” in awarding Erling Haaland’s Manchester City winner against Manchester United.
As City celebrated a remarkable derby victory over Manchester United, there were questions as to whether Haaland’s winning goal should have stood in a match fraught with controversy. sos-zagle.org.pl
The striker scored in the 60th minute at Old Trafford, turning home at the back post from Josko Gvardiol’s cross before it was disallowed on the field for offside.
Following intervention from the video assistant referee, the goal was awarded – the Norwegian ruled to have been played onside by Patrick Dorgu’s boot.
But there was debate as to whether the offside Enzo Fernandez, diving at the ball in a more central position than Haaland, was interfering with play.
In a statement, Pro Ref said: “It was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective.
“However, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.
“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”
United defender Lisandro Martinez said it was an “injustice” while boss Michael Carrick said he was “confused” by the decision.
The goal came after City had gone down to 10 men in the first half when Phil Foden was shown a straight red card for kicking out at United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Foden was dismissed by referee Michael Oliver on 23 minutes after kicking the midriff of Fernandes while he was on the turf.
Haaland’s winning goal – why is it controversial?
When Haaland’s goal was ruled out as offside on the field, few questioned the decision as the City striker looked to have drifted beyond United’s defensive line.
The lines drawn by the VAR showed Haaland to be onside thanks to Dorgu’s boot. But it was the positioning and involvement of Fernandez that left many pundits astounded and unsure if it was a legitimate goal.
Gvardiol’s cross took a slight deflection off the boot of Dorgu before finding its way to Haaland at the back post, while Fernandez was clearly attempting a diving header in the middle of the six-yard box but he did not touch the ball.
Fernandez appeared to be in an offside position, ahead of Dorgu’s boot, but VAR deemed it to be a legitimate goal as he did not touch the ball while United defender Martinez was also closing in.
The Premier League Match Centre said on X: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded.
“The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball.”
A clear VAR mistake – analysis
Dale Johnson, BBC Sport football issues correspondent
The curiosity about this incident is that the goal was initially disallowed for the wrong reason. Haaland was flagged offside when he shouldn’t have been.
But as it turned out, the goal should have been ruled out because Fernandez was offside.
There is one key part of the offside law which applies to Fernandez here. A player is offside if they are:
“Clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent.”
Both parts of that clause must be met. It is possible for a player in an offside position to attempt to play a ball and not commit an offence â there must be impact on an opponent too.
As the ball came in, Fernandez threw himself to try to head it, with Martinez directly behind him.
Video assistant referee Matt Donohue should ask himself if Fernandez’s action would have influenced Martinez.
In other words: If Fernandez had not jumped for the attempted header, would Martinez have made a different decision over playing the ball?
If the ball had been out of reach for Fernandez, or for Martinez, then there is an argument to give the goal.
And also: There would have been no offside had Fernandez made no attempt to play the ball.
But he did. And as it went just a yard in front of Martinez too, it is very difficult to argue Fernandez did not commit an offside offence.
There is also an argument that the actions of Fernandez influence the positioning of goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
However, the goal was originally ruled out for offside against Haaland – which was incorrect. So that decision had to be overturned.
And then, the VAR should have sent referee Michael Oliver to the monitor for the subjective offence by Fernandez.
It would have created the odd situation where a disallowed goal was reviewed to remain ruled out – but this is what should have happened.
It was a clear offside offence by Fernandez and will go down as a VAR mistake.
Was the VAR too concerned with a possible touch by Fernandez?
If so, did the VAR forget that Fernandez was offside, and not consider the subjective offence? It seems to be the most logical explanation.
A similar thing happened in a game between Arsenal and Brentford in February 2023 when a goal by an offside Christian Norgaard was not disallowed.
Confusion as Man Utd seethe at ‘injustice’
With Haaland’s goal settling the match, United were unsurprisingly disappointed by the decision.
“I think it was offside,” said Martinez. “And what I can’t understand is the rules. I want to be calm now, I want to control myself.
“It’s so hard because you lose a derby, you lose three points at home, and every season they’re [referees] coming to our club, they explain for one hour the rules, and they look so confident with that, and then after [there are] five or six people doing these kind of mistakes in the Premier League – it’s unacceptable.
“It’s the best league in the world, you have the best teams in the world, the best players in the world, and now we have to go home with this injustice.”
United boss Carrick also expressed his confusion.
“We put things in place in the game now, we have people in offices with all the screens for this decision,” he said.
“It’s more worrying about if that’s the interpretation of football now. If that’s the interpretation of not interfering in the game now, that’s really worrying for me. It’s a staggering explanation.
“The decision isn’t going to change the season, but it’s had a major impact on the game.”
Wayne Rooney, part of the BBC’s MOTD team, said: “Surely it’s offside. Martinez is impacted by Fernandez’s movement, and he is offside.
“I am so sick of VAR. It is horrendous, it takes all the emotion out of the game and to not see it⦠anyone who has played the game recognises he is offside. To get it so wrong is baffling.”
Former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy, added: “If Enzo doesn’t make the run Martinez sticks wth Haaland, The second person it effects is the goalkeeper. It makes it so simple and obvious and somehow they have missed the impact Enzo Fernandez has on the players around him.”
Gary Neville said on Sky Sports: “I think we’ll see some sort of apology from the referee’s association, there’s no doubt Fernandez is playing that ball and is trying to put off Martinez. I think it’s one they’ll recognising they got wrong.”
Micah Richards added: “I think it’s been a bad day for referees. They got the Foden decision wrong and the Fernandez decision wrong. I think they got it so wrong but I don’t think it takes anything away from City’s performance.”
Meanwhile, City boss Maresca said: “I think it was onside clearly so it’s good.”
‘Just a flick’ or ‘violent’ – should Foden have been sent off?
The goal came after a first half laced with controversy, with Foden shown a straight red for kicking out at midfielder Fernandes.
City midfielder Foden picked up the ball wide on the right-hand side in his own half and was closed down by Fernandes, who tripped him.
Foden then kicked out at the body of the Portuguese midfielder while on the ground and was shown a straight red card by the referee.
Replays showed that Fernandes kicked Foden in the back first, before the England international retaliated.
The incident was checked by the VAR, who confirmed the on-field decision; Fernandes was not shown a card.
Pundits were divided on whether Foden should have seen red and whether Fernandes was the man at fault.
Former Manchester United forward Rooney did not believe it was a red, saying “it was more of a flick or a gesture, than a kick out”.
Neville said he was “surprised” Fernandes did not receive a booking for his role while Roy Keane said the fault lay with the Portuguese midfielder.
“Foden gets up and reacts obviously, so he’s sent off,” he said. “Fernandes catches him and gives him a little kick. I guess it’s classed as violent. But Fernandes is the one who is violent here, I don’t think Foden should have a red card.”
Dale Johnson, BBC Sport’s issues correspondent, said: “The referee and VAR would have to deem it violent conduct rather than just petulance from Fernandes.
“The guidance changed some years ago to factor that in, so David Beckham’s kick on Diego Simeone in the 1998 World Cup would not result in a sending off today.
“It looked to me like there was little to no contact from Fernandes, and if there was it was limited force and wasn’t followed through.
“So Bruno’s act would be seen as a yellow card offence, which the VAR obviously can’t get involved in.”
Marione Fourie and Prudence Sekgodiso Fly the Flag in Budapest Semifinals
South Africa’s Marione Fourie and Prudence Sekgodiso tested themselves against elite international fields in the semifinals of the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship at the Gyula Zsivotzky National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary on Friday, 11 September 2026.
The pair were the two women in the South African team at the first edition of the three-day global showpiece, and both lined up knowing that only the first four finishers in each of the two semifinal heats would progress to the final of their events.
Fourie went in the second of the 100m hurdles semifinals, crossing the line sixth in 12.84 seconds in a heat won by Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas in 12.45. With qualification reserved for the top four, the South African’s campaign came to a close at the semifinal stage.
The 24-year-old arrived in Budapest as the South African 100m hurdles record holder, her national mark of 12.49 dating from July 2024, and ranked 16th in the world in her event. She is an African Championships silver and bronze medallist and a Commonwealth Games top-eight finisher.
Tumi Ramokgopa Claims Hurdles Silver at World U20 Championships
Mixed Relay Twice Lowers the National Under-20 Record at Athletics World Champs
South Africa’s Women Sign Off with Eleven Glasgow Medals
Donné Breytenbach Claims South Africa’s First Judo Medal in Glasgow
Tayla Kavanagh Breaks 15 Minutes to Storm to 5000m PB in Games Debut
Kaylene Corbett Claims Silver as the Swimmers Sign Off in Style
The final, staged later on Friday evening, produced a high-quality contest, with Masai Russell of the United States taking gold in 12.22 ahead of Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan in 12.34 and Nadine Visser of the Netherlands in 12.39.
Sekgodiso contested the opening 800m semifinal, placing sixth in 1:59.66 after she was involved in a crash and stumbled in the chase for the line. Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain took the heat in 1:57.57 ahead of Addison Wiley of the United States in 1:58.14, and with only the top four advancing, Sekgodiso’s championship ended one round short of the medal race.
Also 24, Sekgodiso travelled to Hungary ranked 10th in the world over 800m, in a season that has already delivered a lifetime best of 1:56.83 at the Meeting de Paris in June. The world indoor champion is an Olympic top-eight finisher, an African Championships bronze medallist and a two-time Diamond League meeting winner.
The 800m final followed on Saturday evening, with Audrey Werro of Switzerland striking gold in 1:55.88 ahead of Hodgkinson in 1:56.26 and Femke Broeders-Bol of the Netherlands in 1:56.74.
Anneke Bosch All-Round Double Sends Proteas Women Two Up
Springbok Women Name Settled Squad for WXV Global Series Tour of Europe
Road to Sydney 2027 Runs Through Nairobi as Africa Cup Fixtures Land
Nthabiseng Nini Strikes with First Ball as Proteas Women Go One Up
Noxolo Cesane Opens a Two-Goal Lead as the Festival Heads to Pretoria
Leah Lepront Ready to Face the World’s Best Groms in Narrabeen
Fourie’s heat saw four athletes dip under 12.55 to advance, while Sekgodiso’s semifinal required a run inside 1:58.48 for progression, a measure of the exceptional depth both South Africans confronted on the night.
While neither South African advanced to a final, both athletes banked valuable experience against the strongest fields in world athletics at the very first edition of the championship, and both remain firmly established among the world’s elite as attention turns to the remainder of the season.
Original Copy: Athletics South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: South African hurdler Marione Fourie (pictured) and middle-distance runner Prudence Sekgodiso were in action for South Africa in the semifinals of the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, on the opening day of the three-day global showpiece at the Gyula Zsivotzky National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary on Friday, 11 September 2026. All Photos: Nic Bothma/Athletics South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Prudence Sekgodiso pictured competing in the women’s 800m semifinal during the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Hungary.
The post Marione Fourie and Prudence Sekgodiso Fly the Flag in Budapest Semifinals appeared first on gsport4girls.
OPINION: Jordaan’s re-election raises a bigger question for SAFA
The outrage over Danny Jordaan’s re-election for a fourth term as South African Football Association (SAFA) president is understandable. There is an old saying that a good dancer knows when to leave the stage.
Jordaan has certainly had his time in the spotlight. After all, this is a man who previously said he would leave office at the end of his third term and hand over the baton to someone else.
There are obvious reasons why his re-election has been met with resistance. One of them is the fact that Jordaan is facing fraud charges. Yes, everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but having a football association led by someone with such a cloud hanging over him is hardly ideal.
A SAFA president should not be judged solely by the performance of the national team. The entire football ecosystem needs to function from grassroots football. Some SAFA Local Football Associations have reportedly not received their grants, while clubs such as Mathaithai FC have even pulled out of the ABC Motsepe League because of non-payment.
Jordaan did not re-elect himself. That is why the bigger question should be, why are some SAFA regions and NEC members so convinced that a 75-year-old Jordaan remains the best person to lead the future of South African football?
I am not one to speculate, but it is difficult to believe there is nothing to be gained by those who continue to back him. Questions around the reported R153,000 honorarium paid to NEC members ahead of the elective congress only add to the suspicion.
Then there is Jordaan’s relationship with the football-loving public. He rarely makes himself available for live interviews where he can engage directly with supporters and answer difficult questions. Perhaps, just perhaps, if he did, the public would better understand why he is so hell-bent on remaining SAFA president.
Leadership means accessibility and accountability. Instead, Jordaan plays politics and we saw this when Jordaan unveiled coach Pitso Mosimane. He accused the media of not speaking to SAFA. Yet the irony is that Jordaan himself can be extremely difficult to access. One thing is clear, the majority of public want change, but it looks like those entrusted with leading the game have different ideas.
Ebola en RDC: premières à donner les soins, «les femmes sont de plus en plus touchées» selon l’ONU
En République démocratique du Congo (RDC), le Fonds des Nations unies pour la population souligne que les femmes sont désormais les plus touchées par la dix-septième épidémie d’Ebola déclarée par les autorités en mai 2026. « Elles sont les premières à donner des soins à des malades dans la famille, dans la communauté, mais aussi dans les formations sanitaires », souligne Noémie Delmonte, représentante adjointe UNFPA en RDC, qui met aussi en lumière les conséquences pour la santé maternelle.
Fortuin pleased with ‘complete performance’ by Proteas after bouncing back from defeat
Having found their form following an early loss, captain Bjorn Fortuin lauded the second-string Proteas squad for the improvements they showed throughout their tour of Namibia.
Missing some first-choice players who were being rested, the SA team lost to the hosts by 18 runs in the opening match of a T20 International tri-series in Windhoek.
Recovering well, however, they went on to win all of their remaining four matches, including the final against Zimbabwe.
They then went unbeaten in a three-match ODI series against Namibia, securing a 3-0 win and producing their best performance of the tour with a dominant nine-wicket victory in the last match on Sunday.
“I think we had some nice momentum coming in from the T20 series where guys were starting to hit some form with ball and bat,” Fortuin said.
“So the main focus was trying to keep that momentum going as individuals and as a group, trying to keep working on the good things we were doing but not neglecting the areas we still needed to work on.
“Coming into this (ODI) series we were just trying to put in that complete package and complete performance, and I’m very pleased to say that happened in the last game.”
A ‘privilege’ to lead the SA team
Filling in for regular Proteas captains Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma, who were not on tour, Fortuin admitted he felt the pressure, but he said he was honoured to have been given an opportunity to lead the national side.
While multiple players delivered impressive performances throughout both the T20 and ODI series, Fortuin also played a key role, receiving the Player of the Match award in the last game of the tour.
“It’s really special. I made a joke earlier that I might have to start dyeing my hair because there are a few more grey hairs that have appeared,” he said.
“But it’s a massive honour and a privilege, and it’s not something I necessarily thought would come my way, but at the end of the day it’s not about me – it’s about the team – and the fact that we came here and won games and series is the most important thing.”
Next up, the Proteas will face Australia in a three-match ODI home series starting next week, strengthened by the return of some experienced stars.