Pro Ref chief refereeing officer Howard Webb and his management team made the call to stand down Donohue, the video assistant referee, and Antrobus, the assistant VAR, after the governing body admitted, according to the BBC, an "error of judgement" in awarding Erling Haaland's winning goal for Manchester City against Manchester United on Sunday.
Haaland struck in the 60th minute at Old Trafford, turning in a shot at the back post from Joško Gvardiol's cross. The effort was initially ruled out on the field for offside, only for the goal to be awarded after a VAR review determined the Norwegian had been played onside by Patrick Dorgu.
The controversy centred not on Haaland's position but on that of his teammate Enzo Fernández, who was standing offside and dived to attempt a header at the ball moments before Haaland's finish. Pro Ref accepted the officials had failed to properly assess whether Fernández's presence should have voided the goal.
"It was established that Enzo Fernández did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective," Pro Ref said in a statement. "However, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review."
Neither Donohue nor Antrobus is expected to return to Premier League duty until after the international break. Donohue, 37, had been a regular fixture in the VAR hub already this season, having overseen reviews for Brighton's opening-day win over Aston Villa and Newcastle United's draw with Bournemouth.
The decision has done little to quell the backlash. Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney branded the call to allow the goal "baffling" on the BBC's Match of the Day 2, while ex-Coventry City forward Jay Bothroyd called for the officials involved to face sanctions during Sky Sports News' Ref Watch programme.
City had been reduced to 10 men after just 23 minutes when Phil Foden was sent off, yet held on to win 1-0 and extend their perfect start to the season to four straight Premier League victories. Pro Ref has since made contact with Manchester United over the incident as scrutiny of VAR's handling of marginal offside calls continues to grow.