Andrews, whose team sit seventh in the Premier League, pointed to recent controversies in elite fixtures as evidence that officials now feel constrained by technology. With no VAR used at this stage of the EFL Cup, he argued referees should be allowed to apply their judgement on the pitch. "I think we just need to let them ref the game and be human beings and make decisions," Andrews said, adding that the game has moved away from permitting officials to err.
The match at Reading produced an early flashpoint when Paudie O'Connor had a first-half overhead kick ruled out by referee Tom Nield for a high boot. Reading manager Leam Richardson described that decision as "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." Richardson's comment underlined how singular calls in domestic cups can trigger wider argument about officiating standards.
Andrews linked his remarks to a separate incident in the Manchester derby, where Pro Ref admitted an "error of judgement" after Erling Haaland's late goal for Manchester City was allowed to stand. That finish prompted intense debate over whether Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position, interfered with play as he dived in a central area before Haaland's shot.
Andrews said officials are being held to a standard that does not tolerate mistakes in the same way it once did, and that recent interventions have changed refereeing habits. He suggested the sport should protect the working relationship between players, managers and match officials so referees can adjudicate without constant technological override.
The comments add to a running conversation about how VAR and post-match admissions by refereeing bodies are shaping officiating across competitions that do and do not use the technology.
