Enzo Maresca demands apology for Bruno Fernandes' derby goal
Man City boss Enzo Maresca has called out VAR double standards, referencing a controversial Bruno Fernandes goal from 2023 following a recent refereeing admission.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Ridiculopathy
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has voiced his frustration with the officiating standards after referee chief Howard Webb admitted that Erling Haaland’s recent winner in the Manchester derby should have been disallowed for interference.
Maresca, who served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant during a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in January 2023, highlighted a parallel incident from that fixture. In that match, a goal by Bruno Fernandes was allowed to stand despite Marcus Rashford appearing to influence the City defence from an offside position.
We are still waiting for the apology for that goal. Enzo Maresca
The Italian manager pointed to the glaring inconsistency, noting that City received no such courtesy of an official apology following that 2023 defeat. He also expressed intense frustration that officiating debates were overshadowing his team's heroic display, particularly given that City played for over 70 minutes with 10 men following Phil Foden’s red card.
Despite the VAR controversy, City have enjoyed a perfect start to the season, winning all five opening Premier League fixtures. The team is now shifting focus to a League Cup tie against Norwich City this Thursday, where rotation is expected, before hosting Sunderland on Sunday to continue their domestic momentum.