Brentford head coach Keith Andrews recently criticized the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), saying it has complicated decision-making during matches. His comments followed Brentford's 2-1 win over League One team Reading in the Carabao Cup, which advanced them to the fourth round. During the match, Reading defender Paudie O'Connor had a goal disallowed in the first half after referee Tom Nield ruled that O'Connor used a high boot during an overhead kick. Reading manager Leam Richardson called the decision one of the worst he had ever seen, placing it in the top three of his career. Andrews pointed out that since VAR was not used in this stage of the EFL Cup, the issue highlights how referees are struggling with decision-making due to the increasing use of technology in the game. He argued that referees should be allowed to make decisions as human beings, rather than being pressured to avoid errors. "I think we just need to let them ref the game and be human beings and make decisions," he said. He added that there was a period in football where referees seemed hesitant to make calls in critical areas of the pitch because of the technology involved, which he described as a "real shame." His comments came after Pro Ref, the official referees' organization, admitted to an "error of judgement" in allowing Erling Haaland's winning goal for Manchester City in their Premier League match against Manchester United. The goal was controversial because City midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position, appeared to interfere with play by diving to head the ball before Haaland scored. There was significant debate about whether the goal should have been disallowed. Andrews said the error was "pretty alarming" and expressed regret that the goal stood. Andrews, whose Brentford team is currently seventh in the Premier League, noted that referees are now expected to avoid making any mistakes. He recalled how, as a player, he valued the relationship built on respect between players and officials. He added that the current environment has moved away from allowing referees to officiate freely and make occasional mistakes, which he believes is unfortunate. "Now they are having to go back to that and it's not the habits they have had in recent years," he said.