Brentford Coach Keith Andrews Criticizes VAR for Inhibiting Referee Decision-Making
Quick Look
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews criticized VAR for preventing referees from making independent decisions, citing recent officiating errors in the Carabao Cup and Premier League, including a disallowed Reading goal and a controversial Manchester derby goal involving Erling Haaland and Enzo Fernandez.
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Why It Matters
The use of VAR in football has been controversial since its introduction, with debates over its impact on game flow and referee autonomy. Recent high-profile errors have intensified scrutiny on officiating standards.
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.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Football governing bodies will face renewed pressure to review VAR implementation and referee autonomy.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will football authorities reconsider VAR protocols based on recent criticisms?
- How will referee training adapt to balance technology use with independent decision-making?
