Photo via BBC Sport

'Let them ref the games and be humans' - Andrews

Following Brentford's hard-fought 2-1 victory over Reading to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round, Bees manager Keith Andrews voiced frustration over modern officiating. The cup tie featured a contentious moment when referee Tom Nield disallowed a first-half bicycle kick from Reading's Paudie O'Connor due to a high foot, leading Royals manager Leam Richardson to rank it among the three worst calls he has encountered in his extensive career.

With no video technology present in this round of the competition, Andrews argued that reliance on VAR in elite football has stripped on-pitch officials of their natural decision-making abilities and tolerated human fallibility.

Andrews, whose club currently occupies seventh place in the Premier League, highlighted how respect between competitors and arbiters has diminished under technological scrutiny. His critique also addressed the prior weekend's Manchester derby, where refereeing body Pro Ref acknowledged misjudging Erling Haaland's decisive strike for Manchester City against Manchester United.

Andrews labeled the validation of that goal deeply concerning, noting that Enzo Fernandez appeared to interfere from an offside position ahead of the finish.