According to The Telegraph, Matthew Donohue was the VAR official during Manchester United's 0-1 defeat to rivals Manchester City. Coincidentally, he was also the fourth official in March of this year, when he was angrily criticized by Maguire as a "****."

The VAR assistant, who previously made an incorrect decision on Haaland's winning goal in the Manchester derby, is now involved in another controversy affecting Manchester United.

Following Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Manchester United, match officials director Howard Webb acknowledged that Matthew Donohue made a "significant error of judgment" in the Old Trafford match, and Manchester United received a formal apology on Sunday.

Donohue was also the fourth official when Manchester United drew 2-2 with Bournemouth in March. After being sent off the pitch, Maguire allegedly told him that he and his colleagues were a "****."

Maguire received an automatic one-match ban for the red card and then faced an additional one-match suspension after Donohue informed the independent disciplinary committee that Maguire used abusive and/or offensive language.

At Vitality Stadium, Manchester United were leading 2-1 when referee Stuart Attwell awarded a penalty to Bournemouth and sent off Maguire after deeming he had fouled Evanilson inside the penalty box.

In the full written reasons for Maguire's additional ban published by the FA, Donohue stated that Maguire walked toward him while leaving the pitch "and shouted: 'You're a joke. You're all a joke ****.' " Maguire denied in a written statement that these words were directed at Donohue or any other official present. However, Donohue maintained that he "clearly" heard Maguire say "You're all a joke ****" and recalls believing the remark was directed at the entire officiating team at that time.

Maguire stated that he felt "extremely frustrated" after being given a penalty and sent off, particularly after a similar incident earlier in the match was not penalized. However, he acknowledged in his testimony that his conduct was inappropriate and apologized for what he said. The committee noted that this, combined with his otherwise consistent good disciplinary record, helped him avoid further suspension and higher fines.

Since becoming a professional referee seven years ago, Donohue has overseen matches primarily in the English Football League and has been a regular referee in the Championship this season. According to transfermarkt.com, he has only refereed five Premier League matches, three of which were last season. Over the past two years, he has been frequently used for VAR duties, serving as VAR 49 times during this 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 Gorseway Primary School in Manchester, where he was responsible for developing the school's sports program while also refereeing League Two and League One matches. Three years ago, Gorseway was registered as a receiving school for Manchester City's "Premier League Primary Stars" program. Donohue left his teaching position before transitioning to football refereeing to avoid a potential conflict of interest.

Donohue's error has raised questions about Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) policy on employing VAR officials with limited experience at senior referee level.

In February 2024, then-Premier League Director of Football Tony Scoles stated that a new scheme had been launched to identify dedicated VAR officials from lower leagues. He said: "PGMOL are looking for referees who might be refereeing in the English Football League or National League, who are believed to have the qualities required to be very good VAR officials. Those selected will undergo training with the aim of developing a dedicated pool of VAR officials, to complement rather than replace the current elite referees who can function as VAR and referee on the pitch."

Donohue will likely learn on Monday whether he has been removed from VAR duties for this weekend.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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