EFL Cup - Reading 1-2 Brentford: Keith Andrews on VAR and Referee Decision-Making
BBC Sport reports on Brentford head coach Keith Andrews' comments regarding the video assistant referee (VAR) and its impact on referee decision-making.
'Let them ref the games and be humans' - Andrews
By Charlotte Coates, BBC Sport journalist
Brentford progressed to the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 2-1 victory at League One side Reading. Andrews expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating, particularly the decision to rule out Paudie O'Connor's first-half goal for a high boot. Reading manager Leam Richardson agreed, calling it one of the worst decisions he'd seen.
With no VAR in use at this stage of the EFL Cup, Andrews stated:
"I think we just need to let them ref the game and be human beings and make decisions. We have gone through a period in the game where I feel like they weren't actually making decisions in both boxes because of the technology we have in the game and I feel like that is a real shame."
His comments followed a recent error by Pro Ref in awarding Erling Haaland's winning goal for Manchester City at Manchester United, raising debates about offside and interference.
Andrews noted the shift in officiating, stating referees are no longer allowed to make mistakes and are now forced to revert to traditional methods. He expressed concern over the "shame" of losing the relationship between officials and players built on respect.
On the Manchester derby controversy, Andrews found the goal's allowance "alarming," emphasizing the need for better VAR consideration, especially in offside calls.