According to the Daily Telegraph, Matthew Donohoe was the VAR official during Manchester United's 0-1 defeat to cross-city rivals Manchester City. In March, he served as fourth official and was accused by Harry Maguire of angrily calling him and his colleagues "absolutely ridiculous."

The VAR assistant who made an error on Haaland's goal in the Manchester Derby has now been embroiled in another controversy involving Manchester United.

After Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, Premier League head of referees Howard Webb acknowledged that Matthew Donohoe made a mistake during the match. Manchester United received a formal apology on Sunday.

Donohoe was also the fourth official when Manchester United drew 2-2 with Bournemouth in March. Following his ejection from that match, Harry Maguire was alleged to have told him and his colleagues they were "absolutely ridiculous."

Maguire received an automatic one-match suspension for the red card and was subsequently banned for an additional match after Donohoe reported to the independent disciplinary committee that Maguire used abusive and/or aggressive language.

At Vitality Stadium, with Manchester United leading 2-1, referee Stuart Attwell awarded a penalty to Bournemouth and sent off Maguire after determining he had fouled Evanilson in the penalty area.

In the full written reasons for Maguire's additional ban released by the FA, Donohoe stated that Maguire approached him as he was leaving the pitch and shouted: "You're absolutely ridiculous, you're all absolutely ridiculous." In his written statement, Maguire denied these words were directed at Donohoe or the other officials present at the incident. However, Donohoe maintained he heard Maguire say "clearly and distinctly" that "you're all absolutely ridiculous" and recalled that he "understood those words to be directed at the entire officiating team."

Maguire stated he was "very frustrated" after being awarded a penalty and sent off when he believed he should have received a penalty earlier. However, he acknowledged in his testimony that his conduct was inappropriate and apologized for his comments. The committee noted his previously clean disciplinary record, which helped him avoid an additional suspension and a larger fine.

As a professional referee for the past seven years, Donohoe has primarily officiated in the English Football League and is a regular VAR official in the Championship this season. According to transfermarkt.com, he has taken charge of only five Premier League matches, three of which were in the previous season. Over the past two years, he has been widely deployed as VAR, having served 49 times in that capacity.

Sunday's Manchester Derby was Donohoe's first and has been his biggest match to date.

Before becoming a full-time referee, Donohoe taught at Gorse Hill Primary School in Manchester, where he was responsible for developing the school's sports programs while also officiating Football League Two and National League matches. Three years ago, Gorse Hill was enrolled in Manchester City's "Premier League Primary Stars" initiative as a beneficiary school. Donohoe left his position at the school before transitioning to full-time refereeing to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Donohoe's error has raised questions about Professional Game Match Officials Limited's (PGMOL) policy on deploying VAR officials with limited top-flight refereeing experience.

In February 2024, then-Premier League Football Director Tony Scoles outlined a new initiative to identify VAR-specific referees from the lower leagues. He stated: "PGMOL is looking for referees who may be officiating in the Football League or National League and are considered to have the necessary qualities to be a good VAR. Those selected will receive training with the aim of developing a dedicated VAR panel to supplement, not replace, the current group of senior referees capable of operating both as VAR and on-pitch officials."

Donohoe may learn Monday whether he will be removed from VAR duties this weekend.

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