Let them ref the games and be humans - Andrews

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Brentford are unbeaten in the Premier League this season with one win and three draws

Brentford head coach Keith Andrews believes the video assistant referee (VAR) is preventing referees from making decisions in matches.

As his Bees progressed to the Carabao Cup fourth round with a battling 2-1 win at League One side Reading, Andrews said he was not happy with the officiating.

Reading defender Paudie O'Connor had a goal for a first-half overhead kick ruled out by referee Tom Nield for a high boot, prompting Royals boss Leam Richardson to say it was "possibly in the top three [wrong] decisions that I've seen in my career - and I've seen thousands of games and played in hundreds".

With no VAR used at this stage of the EFL Cup, Andrews added: "It's been a tough week for officials as everybody is probably aware.

"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 the admission of Pro Ref to an "error of judgement" in awarding Erling Haaland's winning goal for Manchester City in their Premier League encounter at Manchester United on Sunday.

There was intense debate over whether the goal should have been disallowed for City midfielder Enzo Fernandez - who was in an offside position - interfering with play as he dived, attempting to head the ball in a central position before Haaland's finish.

Andrews, whose Brentford side are seventh in the Premier League, said referees were no longer allowed to "make mistakes".

"I always felt as a player, when there was a relationship with an official that was built on respect and being able to speak to each other in a certain way," he added.

"We've gone away from allowing them to officiate and allowing them to make mistakes and I think it is a real shame.

"Now they are having to go back to that and it's not the habits they have had in recent years."

On Sunday's refereeing error in the Manchester derby, Andrews said it was "pretty alarming" Haaland's goal was allowed to stand.

"The first thing was whether [Erling] Haaland was offside and then obviously [Enzo] Fernandez was. It's a shame," he admitted.

Carvalho returns with winner as Brentford beat Reading

VAR did not even consider if Fernandez was offside - Webb

More on this storyLatest Brentford news, analysis and fan views

Ask about Brentford - what do you want to know?

ShortsPreviousNext0:48Does the PL need more specialist VAR's? 00:00:48, play videoDoes the PL need more specialist VAR's?0:32'We are a great sporting nation' - Kenya president. 00:00:32, play video'We are a great sporting nation' - Kenya president1:41Hibs' Gray 'will continue until someone tells me otherwise' 00:01:41, play videoHibs' Gray 'will continue until someone tells me otherwise'0:45How an African country got the 2029 World Athletics Championships? 00:00:45, play videoHow an African country got the 2029 World Athletics Championships?1:08Why has London been snubbed for the 2029 World Athletics Championships? 00:01:08, play videoWhy has London been snubbed for the 2029 World Athletics Championships?1:09Binks 'changed nationality' to accept Scotland call up. 00:01:09, play videoBinks 'changed nationality' to accept Scotland call up0:47What would you do to fix VAR? 00:00:47, play videoWhat would you do to fix VAR?1:06Who makes Troy Deeney's Team of the Week? 00:01:06, play videoWho makes Troy Deeney's Team of the Week?0:39Sterling arrives at court after dangerous driving charge. 00:00:39, play videoSterling arrives at court after dangerous driving charge1:33The Championship is turning beards grey! 00:01:33, play videoThe Championship is turning beards grey!0:34World Athletics Championships heading to Nairobi is 'really special' - Anning. 00:00:34, play videoWorld Athletics Championships heading to Nairobi is 'really special' - Anning1:23Female athletes react to Sydney Sweeney ad. 00:01:23, play videoFemale athletes react to Sydney Sweeney ad2:00Underwhelming transfer window = underwhelming start to the season. 00:02:00, play videoUnderwhelming transfer window = underwhelming start to the season1:03Yastremska on losing family home after Russian strike hits flat. 00:01:03, play videoYastremska on losing family home after Russian strike hits flat1:13Why football rules are now 'impossible to understand' 00:01:13, play videoWhy football rules are now 'impossible to understand'0:33'I can't put it into words' - Graham on Scotland call-up. 00:00:33, play video'I can't put it into words' - Graham on Scotland call-up1:13O'Neill addresses eligibility issues between NI and ROI. 00:01:13, play videoO'Neill addresses eligibility issues between NI and ROITop stories'Superstar' Dowman shows his class - but Arsenal know caution is needed

Brook likened to Pietersen in SL win - how do they compare?

Let them ref the games and be humans - Andrews

How did Jeffrey Epstein become so powerful?

The grand finale of the world’s greatest classical music party

The warm-hearted Aussie rom-com audiences are loving

Are meat substitutes really better for you and the planet?

This is what women in sport look like - female athletes hit back

Why Pietersen will add unfiltered challenge that England need - Finn

Left in the dark - will fans ever get to hear live VAR audio?

'Big Ludo' - trailblazing keeper who became West Ham cult figure

How youth helped Nordqvist answer critics and deliver Solheim Cup win

How did the first Ultimate Championship go?

Zverev turns US Open tears into triumph

Intelligence & resilience key in statement win for Maresca's Man City - Murphy

Twenty-five years in the waiting - Coventry's nightmare top-flight return

McInnes delivers togetherness & intensity in Old Firm gobsmacker

England chasing the rainbow with more questions than answers

Are women better than men at endurance running?

Who will reach Super Bowl? - NFL predictions for 2026 season