{
  "id": 7650755,
  "title": "Let them ref the games and be humans - Andrews",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/let-them-ref-the-games-and-be-humans-andrews-7650755",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T23:01:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/let-them-ref-games-humans-225035558.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Brentford head coach Keith Andrews has criticized the use of video assistant referees (VAR) in Premier League matches, stating that it is preventing officials from making decisions. Brentford are currently unbeaten in the league this season, with one win and three draws. Andrews' side advanced to the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 2-1 victory over League One side Reading. Reading defender Paudie O'Connor was ruled out for an overhead kick, leading Royals boss Leam Richardson to call it one of the worst decisions he had seen in his career.\n\nAndrews believes that referees should be able to make mistakes and act like human beings, rather than being constrained by technology. He expressed his concern that VAR has taken away from the officials' ability to make their own judgments. The assistant manager also commented on Pro Ref's admission of an error in the Manchester City vs. Manchester United match, where the winning goal for Haaland was allowed despite the defender being in an offside position. Andrews described the decision as \"pretty alarming.\"",
  "summary": "After Brentford overcame Reading to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round, head coach Keith Andrews believes the video assistant referee (VAR) is preventing referees from making decisions in matches.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Let them ref the games and be humans - Andrews",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/let-them-ref-the-games-and-be-humans-andrews",
        "published": "2026-09-15T22:50:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}