Matthew Donohue was the VAR referee during Manchester United's 1-0 defeat to rivals Manchester City, and he is the same official whom Maguire called a "fucking joke" when serving as fourth official in March, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The video assistant referee, who had already made an error during a Manchester derby involving Erling Haaland's winning goal, is now involved in another controversy concerning Manchester United.

Manchester United received an official apology on Sunday after the head of referees, Howard Webb, acknowledged that Matthew Donohue had made an "error" during the match at Old Trafford following Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester United.

Donohue was also the fourth official when Manchester United drew 2-2 with Bournemouth in March. Maguire allegedly told him and his colleagues after being sent off that they were "fucking jokes".

Maguire received an automatic one-match ban for the red card and was subsequently suspended for an additional match after Donohue told an independent disciplinary commission that Maguire had used insulting and/or offensive language.

At the Vitality Stadium, Manchester United were leading 2-1 when referee Stuart Attwell awarded a penalty to Bournemouth and sent off Maguire after ruling that he had pulled down Evaniílson in the box.

In the full written reasons for Maguire's additional suspension, published by the FA, Donohue stated that Maguire walked towards him as he left the pitch "and shouted: 'You're a joke. You're all fucking jokes.'" In a written statement, Maguire denied that these words were directed at Donohue or any other official present. But Donohue insisted he heard Maguire say "you're all fucking jokes" "unequivocally" and recalled that he "considered the comments to be directed at the refereeing team as a whole at that time".

Maguire stated he was "extremely frustrated" at being awarded a penalty and sent off after a previous penalty had not been given. However, he admitted in his testimony that his conduct was inappropriate and apologised for his words. The commission stated that this, along with his consistently excellent disciplinary record, helped him avoid an additional suspension and a heavier fine.

Since becoming a professional referee seven years ago, Donohue has officiated mainly in the English Football League and is a regular in the Championship this season. According to transfermarkt.com, he has officiated only five Premier League matches, three of which were last season. He has been heavily used in VAR roles over the past two years, serving as VAR 49 times during that period.

Sunday's match was Donohue's first Manchester derby and his biggest match to date.

Before becoming a full-time referee, Donohue taught at Gorse Hill Primary School in Manchester, where he was responsible for developing the school's sports programme while officiating League Two and League One matches. Three years ago, Gorse Hill was among schools receiving support from Manchester City's "Premier League Primary Stars" programme. Donohue left his teaching position before moving into football refereeing, thereby avoiding any potential conflict of interest.

Donohue's error has raised questions about the policy of Pro Ref (formerly Professional Game Match Officials Limited), the professional refereeing body, of using VARs who lack high-level refereeing experience.

In February 2024, Tony Scholes, then director of football for the Premier League, stated that a new programme had been launched to find future dedicated VAR officials in the lower leagues. He said: "PGMOL is looking for officials who could referee in the Football League or National League and are considered to have the qualities to be a good VAR. They will then undergo a training programme with the aim of creating a cohort of dedicated VARs that will complement – and not replace – the existing elite group who can both be VAR and referee on the pitch."

Donohue may learn on Monday whether he has been removed from his VAR duties this weekend.

Traduit par IA.

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