Pawson Explains VAR Decision As Man City’s Third Goal Is Ruled Out
Sports Updated: 09 February 2026 13:51 EAT
Referee Craig Pawson booked Dominic Szoboszlai for a professional last man foul on pulling Erling Haaland shirt 👕
Referee Craig Pawson has explained the controversial decision that led to Manchester City’s third goal being disallowed during their Premier League clash against Liverpool, following a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review late in the match.
The incident occurred in stoppage time when City appeared to have sealed the game with a long-range effort into an empty net, sparking celebrations among the visiting players before VAR intervened and asked Pawson to review the build-up.
After consulting the pitch-side monitor, Pawson overturned the goal and issued a red card to Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, a decision that left both players and fans confused inside the stadium.
In his explanation, Pawson said: “After the review, there was a reckless foul by Erling Haaland, who pulled Dominic Szoboszlai’s shirt. Before that incident, Szoboszlai committed a holding foul on Haaland and denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.”
The referee added that because Haaland’s foul occurred before the ball crossed the goal line, the goal itself could not stand under the Laws of the Game, despite City appearing to gain a clear advantage moments later.
“As a result, the final decision was a direct free kick for Manchester City and a red card,” Pawson concluded, confirming that Szoboszlai was dismissed for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, commonly referred to as DOGSO.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland expressed frustration after the match, saying: “Just give the goal and don’t give red cards, simple as that. But of course the referee has to follow the rules.” He added that he felt sorry for Szoboszlai over the outcome.
City manager Pep Guardiola was also critical of the decision, calling for common sense to be applied in such situations. “Come on, give the goal and go home,” Guardiola said, suggesting the ruling took away from the spectacle of the game.
Despite the controversy, the decision stood, the goal remained disallowed, and City went on to secure a 2–1 victory, with the incident reigniting debate around VAR, advantage, and how strictly the laws should be applied in decisive moments.
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FELIX MAKONA
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