Howard Webb — chief of England's referees body (PGMOL), admitted VAR errors in Manchester derby and defended controversial decisions this season.
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Joy Online
Referees’ chief Howard Webb has admitted that the video assistant referee (VAR) did not even consider whether Enzo Fernandez was offside for Erling Haaland’s controversial winner in Sunday’s Manchester derby. …
VAR did not even consider if Fernandez was offside – WebbJoy Online
… The decision was made by the Premier League refereeing body, Pro Ref’s chief refereeing officer, Howard Webb, and the management team. …
No weekend game for Manchester derby VAR officialsJoy Online
… Howard Webb, the Premier League referees’ chief, said he wants referees to be more proactive. …
The Premier League’s new plan to end corner chaosDaily Guide
… Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at Pro Ref, said: “Anthony has been a fantastic servant to the game over many years, both domestically and on the international stage. …
English Referee Anthony Taylor RetiresThe Ghanaian Times
… Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at Pro Ref, said: “Anthony has been a fantastic servant to the game over many years, both domestically and on the international stage. …
Referee Taylor retiresJoy Online
… Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at Pro Ref, said: “Anthony has been a fantastic servant to the game over many years, both domestically and on the international stage. …
‘Pressure is intense and scrutiny constant’ – referee Taylor retiresJoy Online
… Prominent figures and colleagues — including England’s Howard Webb, referee of the 2010 final in South Africa — walked over to congratulate him. …
What it takes to be chosen as a World Cup referee – and how to ref the finalThe Ghanaian Times
… INSET Howard Webb Sunday’s game had huge significance at both ends of the table, and relegation-battling West Ham thought they had earned a valuable point against leaders, Arsenal, when Callum Wilson found the net following a corner deep in added time. …
Disallowing West Ham equaliser against Arsenal was right- referees’ chiefJoy Online
A consultation about excessive grappling in the penalty area and how to deal with it will take place at the end of the season, referees’ chief Howard Webb says. …
Refs’ chief Webb confirms grappling consultationJoy Online
… In September, he said referees and VAR “had an absolute shocker of a start” to the season after Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL] chief Howard Webb implemented a policy of “less intervention” for VAR in the Premier League. …
Maddison says referees are petrified of decisionsReferees' chief Howard Webb admitted that VAR did not consider whether Enzo Fernández was offside when Erling Haaland's goal was awarded for Manchester City in Sunday's Manchester derby. Webb said he was "really disappointed" with the error made by VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus, who failed to identify that Fernández interfered with opponents while in an offside position.
10 hours ago · Joy Online →
Referees' chief Howard Webb admitted that VAR did not consider whether Enzo Fernández was offside when Erling Haaland's goal was awarded for Manchester City in Sunday's Manchester derby. Webb said he was "really disappointed" with the error made by VAR officials Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus, who failed to identify that Fernández interfered with opponents while in an offside position.
10 hours ago · Joy Online →
The video assistant referee Matt Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus have not been appointed for this weekend's Premier League games following Pro Ref's admission of an "error of judgement" in awarding Erling Haaland's winning goal for Manchester City at Manchester United on Sunday. Pro Ref said the VAR should have recommended an on-field review regarding Enzo Fernandez's position and likely impact on play.
14 September 2026 · Joy Online →
The Premier League will instruct referees to penalise holding, pushing, and jostling in penalty areas more strictly this season, focusing on actions that prevent players from playing the ball. The change follows widespread concerns about inconsistent officiating during set-pieces in the previous campaign.
20 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Anthony Taylor, 47, has announced his immediate retirement from refereeing after 20 years spanning 831 matches, citing intense pressure and constant scrutiny as contributing factors. His final match was Spain's 1-0 World Cup win over Portugal on 6 July.
22 July 2026 · Daily Guide →
Anthony Taylor, 47, has retired from refereeing after 20 years and 831 matches, with his final game Spain's 1-0 World Cup win over Portugal on 6 July. Taylor officiated 432 Premier League matches and 163 international games across two decades.
22 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Anthony Taylor, 47, has announced his immediate retirement from refereeing after a 20-year career spanning 831 matches, citing the intense pressure and constant scrutiny of elite-level officiating. Taylor officiated 432 Premier League matches, every major domestic cup final, and 163 international matches across 14 years on Fifa's list, with his final match being Spain's 1-0 World Cup win over Portugal on 6 July.
22 July 2026 · Joy Online →
A record 170 officials—52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video assistant referees from 50 FIFA member nations—have been chosen for this year's World Cup, which features an expanded format of 48 teams and 104 matches. The contingent includes six women referees, continuing FIFA's inclusion of female officials begun in Qatar.
3 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Howard Webb, chief of England's referees body (PGMOL), endorsed the VAR decision to disallow West Ham's late equaliser against Arsenal for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya. Webb stated the foul was clear because Raya was impeded and unable to catch the ball normally.
14 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Howard Webb, the referees' chief, has confirmed that a consultation about excessive grappling in the penalty area will take place at the end of the season. Webb defended the VAR decision to disallow West Ham's late equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday, saying the foul on goalkeeper David Raya had to be penalised because the goalkeeper's arms were being interfered with.
13 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Tottenham midfielder James Maddison has suggested referees are "petrified" to make decisions because of video assistant referee after being denied a stoppage-time penalty against Leeds on Monday, with the match finishing 1-1.
12 May 2026 · Joy Online →