Maresca comments on the Manchester derby scandal

The Sky Blues head coach considers refereeing errors part of the game.

Enzo Maresca reminded Howard Webb, head of the referees’ committee in the English league, of a controversial situation from 3 years ago. The Italian claims his team is still demanding an apology over a goal awarded to the Red Devils in the previous derby.

Man City manager’s remarks came after the storm over Erling Haaland’s winning goal for the Sky Blues at the past weekend’s derby at Old Trafford. The English officials’ commission the next day acknowledged the VAR referee’s mistake in allowing the goal to stand, despite Enzo Fernandez being clearly offside and in an active position despite not being able to play the ball.

The committee offered Michael Carrick’s side an official apology for the controversial situation.

At the beginning of 2023, Enzo was part of Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff for a Manchester derby that produced its own refereeing incident.

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Bruno Fernandes scored the equalizer for the Red Devils despite Marcus Rashford being offside as he moved and blocked the ball from the Sky Blues’ defense. Still, Man City won a historic treble that season.

Enzo Maresca has weighed in on the Manchester derby video assistant referee (VAR) row by insisting Manchester City are still waiting for an apology after a refereeing error in 2023.

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— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) September 16, 2026