According to Football Insider, former PGMOL chief and former FIFA referee Keith Hackett stated in an interview that Manchester United might be able to request a replay against Manchester City.
In the Manchester Derby, Enzo Fernández was in an offside position and interfering with play, but Erling Haaland's goal was ruled valid. After the match, officials admitted this was an incorrect decision.
In an exclusive interview with Football Insider, former PGMOL chief and former FIFA referee Keith Hackett stated that a similar case in Belgian football might support Manchester United's appeal following their 1-0 loss to their rivals.
A 2024 match between Genk and Anderlecht made history due to an officiating error: Genk was denied a penalty retake following an incorrect decision, and the match was subsequently ordered to be replayed.
Can Manchester United Demand a Replay?
Hackett told Football Insider exclusively that this case might prompt Manchester United to take further action following their loss on Sunday, September 13.
Hackett said: "Michael Oliver should not have been the final decision-maker. VAR and AVAR (Assistant Video Assistant Referee) let him down badly."
"Don't forget, there were two video referees reviewing the play. The on-field officiating team initially made the correct decision, raising their flag for offside. The question is, did they wrongly rule Haaland offside when he wasn't actually offside, or did they wrongly rule the player in the middle offside?"
"According to the rules, the player in the middle (Enzo) was in an offside position. My next question is this: I understand there was a VAR error case in Belgium, which you can verify, and that error ultimately led to the match being replayed."
"Manchester City fans might not like what I'm about to say: Does Manchester United have the right to demand a replay of this match?"
Are There Precedents for Replays in the Premier League?
"In short, no. The Premier League has never had a replay due to an officiating error, but as the Belgian case proves, it is not impossible."
"Matches have been postponed and rescheduled for various reasons, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Manchester United demanding a replay would set an entirely new precedent."
"However, it is difficult to imagine the FA agreeing to a full replay, as VAR errors have been far from uncommon over the years. Once this precedent is set, it will create a problematic example for England's top flight and all levels of football, potentially leading to more controversial decisions."
Who Is Keith Hackett?
Keith Hackett, born in 1944, is a legendary English referee and referee administrator and an authoritative figure in football officiating in the UK.
During his refereeing career, he appeared on the FIFA International Referees list from 1981 to 1991, officiating in the English First Division and early Premier League, and he refereed the 100th FA Cup Final. He also participated in major international competitions including Euro 1988 and the men's football semi-finals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, officiating in over fifty countries. He retired from active refereeing in 1994.
After retirement, he served as General Manager of PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), overseeing the establishment of the Premier League professional referee system and championing innovations such as referee fitness assessments, sports psychology support, and on-field communication equipment. He also established a referee performance evaluation system to raise standards among Premier League officials and improve communication between referees and clubs. Following his departure from PGMOL, Hackett has worked extensively as a media commentator, regularly analysing officiating and VAR controversies, providing expert insights on refereeing standards, and maintaining significant influence in global football.
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