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.

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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.”

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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.

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“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.

Nitish Kumar Reddy (BCCI Photo)

NEW DELHI: “I always wanted to become the greatest all-rounder,” Nitish Kumar Reddy said after playing a key role in India’s seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the second T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday.Reddy returned figures of 3/24 as India restricted Afghanistan to 159 for eight. Sanju Samson then smashed 57 off 22 balls as India chased down the target in 14.5 overs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Reddy makes a strong comeback

Reddy made an immediate impact with the ball, taking a wicket with the first delivery of each of his three overs. He first dismissed Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran for 37 before removing Gulbadin Naib with the first ball of his second over. His third wicket came in the final over when he dismissed Rashid Khan, who had scored 28.Reddy finished with 3/24 and was named Player of the Match.

‘I wanted that extra pace’

Reddy said he has been working on his pace as he looks to become a better all-rounder.“I feel great. I always wanted to become the greatest all-rounder, and for that I wanted that extra pace, which I’m getting. You will have the pros and cons, and I’m working on not getting frequently injured and (staying) fit.”The all-rounder also spoke about his fitness after his injury.“It’s good. Right now I’m feeling great. We have done some great work at COE, and the body’s recovering well.”

Reddy talks about his comeback

Reddy said his performance was about trusting his ability and making a strong comeback after the first T20I.“I would say it’s all about trusting your ability and (making) that comeback, and I was just believing in myself. It’s a funny game; anything can change in a moment.”

Samson leads India’s chase

Chasing 160, India got off to a flying start as Samson and Abhishek Sharma attacked the Afghanistan bowlers. The pair added 82 runs in the powerplay before Rashid Khan dismissed Abhishek for 39 off 19 balls.Samson continued his attack and completed his fastest T20 fifty off just 20 balls. He hit seven fours and four sixes before Rashid dismissed him for 57.Ishan Kishan remained unbeaten on 38 off 23 balls, while Shreyas Iyer scored 11. India reached 163 for three in 14.5 overs to win by seven wickets and seal the series.

Since the sad news broke on Saturday, September 12 that legendary heavyweight George Chuvalo had passed away, this at the age of 89, the tributes have been pouring in.

Chuvalo, who had been looked after in a care home for a little over five years, his battle with dementia proving tougher than anything the rock-jawed warrior encountered in the ring, died on his birthday.

Famous of course for his frighteningly solid chin, Chuvalo fought during a golden era; with him engaging in memorable fights with Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier and others.

“George Chuvalo was a a heavyweight boxing legend, a family friend and a Canadian icon,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote on social media upon learning of the fighter’s death.

“He was a capital-T tough guy in every way,” Geoirge’s son, Mitch said in an interview with Toronto Today on Sunday.

“He was a great Canadian icon,” fellow heavyweight great Lennox Lewis said of Chuvalo.

During his long pro career, Chuvalo would get two shots at the world title, and on both occasions he would leave the ring with a 15 round decision loss attached to his record. Indeed, Chuvalo ranks as one of the best big men never to have won a version of the world heavyweight title. As far as the Canadian title, George won it no less than five times. In terms of big names, Chuvalo really did fight a who’s who of heavyweight stars: Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Floyd Patterson, Ernie Terrell, Zora Folley, Doug Jones, Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis, Jerry Quarry, Jimmy Ellis and Cleveland Williams.

Chuvalo went pro on April 23rd of 1956, when he actually fought four times on the same night. Boxing in ‘The Jack Dempsey Tournament,’ in Toronto, Canada, a teenage Chuvalo KO’d all four opponents. Managed by Irv Ungerman, Chuvalo was to fight at what would today be called a breakneck pace – four more fights in 1956, six fights in 1957, five fights in 1958, and so on. But George was not always victorious. In fact, by March of 1961, he was 19-5-1. Going down on points grew to become an unfortunate habit for Chuvalo.

George sat out 1962. Returning with vigour in March of 1963, Chuvalo reeled off five straight wins, he then boxed a draw, he then dropped a decision to Zora Folley, before picking one up against Doug Jones, and then Chuvalo lost the Ring Magazine Fight of the year for 1965, with Floyd Patterson. Again, George lost via decision. Chuvalo could fight, no doubt, but would he ever become world champion?

In November of 1965, George finally got a shot. Facing Ernie Terrell for the WBA heavyweight title that had been stripped from Muhammad Ali, Chuvalo lost another decision. Another, bigger chance came in March of the following year. Ali, a permanent ban from boxing hanging over him, defended the world crown against Chuvalo at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. It was Bob Arum’s first fight as a boxing promoter.

Chuvalo fought with grit and integrity, going down by, yes, another decision. All these years later, and this is the fight Chuvalo is best known for. In-the-ring fight, that is – George’s incredible inner strength in somehow being able to cope with the unimaginably unfair and cruel hand dealt to him, with three of his sons losing their life through drugs and guns, being his most admirable winning battle. And how George campaigned against the evil of drugs in his later years.

In the Ali fight, Chuvalo earned the champ’s respect but he was still a contender; one who might never get another shot. As it is, Chuvalo never did get another world title chance, although he did battle two all-time great heavyweight champions in Frazier and Foreman. Both men stopped him but Chuvalo never went down. In fact, in 93 pro bouts, Chuvalo was never once knocked down. “I kissed a lot of pretty girls but I never kissed the canvas,” Chuvalo was fond of saying in retirement.

Chuvalo fought, on and off, until 1978. Finally retiring with an incredibly hard-earned 73-18-2(64) record, Chuvalo, for three decades, seemed to have escaped any real damage, this despite the often-sickening amount of punishment he had taken during the course of that 22-year pro career. Chuvalo tried his hand at acting, he wrote his autobiography and, most importantly to him, George fought a one-man war against drugs.

Sadly, in 2017, Chuvalo was diagnosed with dementia, the reports describing him as suffering from having a “significant cognitive impairment.” The tough fights, the monster shots from the likes of Foreman and Frazier, had caught up with George. Reports back then said Chuvalo could still enjoy the occasional day of lucidity; that he was “sharp” if caught at the right time. But this mental battle was one Chuvalo could not win. The once seemingly bullet-proof warrior saw this often cruel sport catch up with him. ” I don’t know what I’ll do if I ever run out of steam,” Chuvalo said when speaking with Boxing News a few years before his diagnosis with dementia.

Chuvalo, who gave his all in the ring, was arguably the last of his kind. He will be sorely missed by so many who knew him.

Justin Simmons was an outstanding NFL safety, collecting second-team All-Pro honors four times during his nine-year career. However, now retired, Simmons should probably be more careful with his social media commentary.

That’s because Simmons stepped on something of an online landmine Monday night while he was watching his former Denver Broncos team play the Kansas City Chiefs.

During the broadcast, ESPN’s Joe Buck noted that Broncos’ linebacker Jonathon Cooper was not in the lineup because he’s currently suspended on the NFL exempt list while he awaits a Nov. 10 trial on four charges, including felony second-degree assault by strangulation of his former girlfriend.

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The broadcast apparently triggered Simmons, who took to his X account to make a comparative point.

The former NFL great complained that ESPN was mentioning his former teammate during the broadcast but the situation between New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and former reporter Dianna Russini wasn’t discussed on TV.

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Former Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons holds the Justin Simmons Free Florida Youth Football Camp on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at South Fork High School in Stuart. More than 200 children ages 6 through 17 from around the Treasure Coast participated along with several NFL players and local coaches. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

So, social media simply moved on without pushback whatsoever.

Yeah, right.

Multiple people basically told off Simmons. They made the point that even if Vrabel’s relationship with Russini was perhaps morally wrong, if one assumes it reached heights that have not been proven, it wasn’t illegal.

Vrabel has been put before the court of public opinion for the relationship, but there are no allegations of abuse that will be heard in a court of law. The analogy between Cooper and Vrabel is flawed at best.

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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel holds a press conference before minicamp at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-Imagn Images)

So, Simmons found himself in a hole he jumped into. Then, unfortunately for him, he proceeded to dig himself deeper.

“That’s absolute bs btw,” Simmons wrote in an ensuing post as a media critic. “Shame on all of the production on Monday night football and the crew. You’re supposed to call the game. Coop isn’t playing the game and isn’t on the sidelines.

“The MNF crew is paid to cover THE GAME not the players who are not playing or even at the game.”

That’s an interesting use of capital letters. Let’s go with that flow:

Simmons is apparently of the opinion that, since his former teammate isn’t playing nor on the sideline – BECAUSE HE WAS ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF CHOKING HIS FORMER GIRLFRIEND AND THEN SUSPENDED BY THE NFL – the broadcast should not mention his name and situation.

Denver Broncos star Jonathon Cooper was arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of two counts of domestic violence and one count of criminal mischief in Colo. (Courtesy of Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)

So any person not in the stadium is apparently off limits from discussion, per Simmons. That apparently should include a person who would be playing if he hadn’t done something for which he was arrested, charged with and apologized before he got lawyered up and pleaded not guilty.

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Simmons is a bright individual of great character. He played well and was a leader throughout his career, which means he rarely faced public criticism.

He was clearly caught off guard, then, when fans challenged his views on Vrabel and Cooper and on ESPN’s right to address the matter during its broadcast.

“I have hella people in my comments (mainly Pats fans) saying an affair is not the same as an ALLEGED conviction,” Simmons wrote. “Which is true. However, last time I checked MNF or any network hosting a game is supposed to talk about just that THE GAME not players who aren’t there or even playing.”

Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz (11) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)

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That is obviously not correct.

And what’s worse, the premise all this is based on is also incorrect. That’s because when the New England Patriots opened their season against the Seattle Seahawks, Vrabel’s situation was addressed on national television.

NBC even included the Russini-Vrabel scandal in an illustrated timeline of the Patriots’ offseason.

So, yes, Vrabel’s situation was discussed on TV and that was the right thing to do – just like it was perfectly correct for Cooper’s situation to be mentioned on Monday Night Football.

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Sanju Samson (Image: ANI)

NEW DELHI: Sanju Samson has spent years learning to live with the scrutiny that comes with playing for India. On Tuesday, after his 57 off 22 balls against Afghanistan in the second T20I, he admitted that the noise from outside does get through — even if his preferred response is to switch it off.“I try to switch the Wi-Fi off. But sometimes the Wi-Fi gets switched on and comments become visible,” Samson said after India’s seven-wicket win. “Some senior player says something. So I think it’s very normal.”Samson’s innings, in which 52 of his 57 runs came in boundaries, came at a time when his place at the top of India’s T20I order is under scrutiny. The emergence of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has added another layer to the competition for the two opening slots alongside Abhishek Sharma. Sooryavanshi had impressed on India’s recent tour of Zimbabwe, while Samson had been left out of that series after failing to convert his opportunities in the preceding Ireland, England series.“Definitely, outside noise does affect cricketers in India,” Samson said. “But you need to be very clear about what your mindset is, how you need to prepare and what mindset you need to play with.”“I think I have been mature enough and experienced enough to know how to handle it. Earlier, it used to hurt a little. I’m not a machine. We are not robots that we can say, ‘No, it doesn’t affect me.’ Definitely, it affects you,” he said.“If I paid attention to those things, I couldn’t bat like this,” Samson said. “Before hitting a shot, I would think ten times, ‘Yaar, out ho gaya toh phir Wi-Fi problem ho jayega.’ So instead, I tell myself, ‘Koi baat nahi.’”That mindset has become particularly important as Samson finds himself competing for a place with a teenager who has rapidly forced his way into the conversation. Samson, however, said he does not view Sooryavanshi as a rival within the dressing room.“I think they (Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma) are competitors for the outside world, but we are a team and we are playing for a country,” he said. “We want to win the game first, and then it comes down to the other individuals.”Samson also said his experience as an IPL captain has helped him understand why difficult selection calls have to be made. He acknowledged that the management has a difficult task in choosing between players who are all performing, while stressing that individuals have to remain ready for their opportunities rather than dwell on selection decisions.“We can’t sulk or be in a negative frame of mind, thinking, ‘Yaar, mujhe nahi mila, usko kyun diya.’ Those kinds of mindsets don’t work here,” he said.

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has been linked with a move to Manchester United once again

Manchester United are reportedly plotting another move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. United have been heavily linked with a deal to sign the Toffees centre-back in the past, and now it seems that fresh interest has emerged from the Reds.

Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Matthijs de Ligt are United’s senior central defensive options, but the Reds have been forced to deal with some injury concerns.

De Ligt has not played for United since November last year due to a back injury, but is closing in on a return to action.

As a result, United are being linked with signing a new centre-back, with Branthwaite emerging as a target once again.

According to talkSPORT, United still have an interest in Branthwaite, although it’s not stated if this could lead to a bid to sign the 24-year-old defender.

The report claims that United are looking to revamp their defensive options next summer, which could lead to moves for reinforcements, which may include a pursuit of Branthwaite.

Maguire, Martinez and Luke Shaw are three players who have been mentioned as potentially leaving United next summer when their contracts expire.

No price tag is mentioned for what Everton would demand for Branthwaite’s signature, with the defender contracted to Hill Dickinson Stadium until the summer of 2030, having signed a five-year extension just over 12 months ago.

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Branthwaite will have three years left to run on his contract from the end of the season, meaning Everton will be under no pressure to sell to United, unless the player himself pushes for a move.

Everton boss David Moyes has spoken very highly of Branthwaite in recent weeks, with the former United boss tipping the centre-back to have a bright future.

“Jarrad is a really good player. I think he’s got far more to come. I think he’s still finding his way after his injury.

“It would be great if he gets called up because I want my players to be called up for their countries because it means they’re doing well and the team’s doing well.

Ronaldo and Al-Nassr suffer a shocking 4-0 defeat on their long-awaited AFC Champions League Elite return/ Image: X

Al-Nassr’s return to the AFC Champions League Elite was supposed to offer an early glimpse of what the new season could bring. Instead, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates walked away from their opening night with a result that few inside the club would have expected, as Ange Postecoglou’s side suffered a heavy defeat in the United Arab Emirates.

Al-Nassr suffer nightmare start against Al-Ain

Cristiano Ronaldo started for Al-Nassr, but there was little the captain could do to prevent a disastrous evening as Al-Ain swept aside the Saudi side 4-0 in their first AFC Champions League Elite match of the campaign.The defeat came in Matchday 1 of the newly formatted competition, meaning Al-Nassr’s Asian campaign has barely begun, but the manner of the loss immediately puts Postecoglou’s team under pressure.Al-Ain took control in the 25th minute, when Houssine Rahimi opened the scoring. Al-Nassr were unable to find a response before Rahimi struck again in the 63rd minute, leaving the visitors with a huge task just to get back into the match.Instead, the collapse continued.Soufiane Rahimi added a third in the 72nd minute, before Georgios Giakoumakis completed the rout five minutes from full-time to seal a stunning 4-0 victory for the UAE side.For all of Al-Nassr’s possession, there was remarkably little attacking threat to show for it. Postecoglou’s team controlled 58 per cent of possession and won the corner count 10-2, yet managed only three shots on target.Al-Ain, by comparison, registered seven shots on target and made their opportunities count.The result also extends an impressive start to the season for Al-Ain, who arrived unbeaten in their first five UAE Pro League matches, having recorded four wins and one draw.

Ronaldo suffers heaviest Al-Nassr defeat

For Ronaldo, the scale of the defeat makes it particularly difficult to dismiss as an ordinary bad night.It is now the heaviest defeat of his Al-Nassr career since he joined the Saudi club in January 2023. His previous worst results in Saudi colours had both ended in three-goal defeats, with Al-Nassr losing 3-0 to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League in December 2023 and 4-1 to the same opponents in the Saudi Super Cup in August 2024.The 4-0 defeat to Al-Ain is therefore a new low in terms of the margin of defeat during Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia.It does not, however, match the heaviest losses of his entire career. Ronaldo’s two worst defeats by goal difference remain Manchester United’s 5-0 loss to Liverpool in October 2021 and Real Madrid’s 5-0 defeat to Barcelona in November 2010, both five-goal margins.What makes Tuesday’s result particularly damaging is when it arrived.Al-Nassr had only just returned to the AFC Champions League Elite after a one-year gap, with a new coach, a new season and renewed expectations surrounding a squad built to compete for major honours.The opening match was supposed to begin that campaign.Instead, Al-Nassr now sit at the bottom of the tournament standings after one match, having conceded four goals without scoring.

Al-Nassr have seven matches to repair the damage

The new AFC Champions League Elite format gives Al-Nassr some room to recover because this is no longer a traditional four-team group containing six matches.Instead, the competition now features a single league stage in which each team plays eight matches against eight different opponents.That means Al-Nassr have seven matchdays remaining, giving Ronaldo and his teammates plenty of opportunities to climb the table after their disastrous opening.Their next opportunity comes on October 12, when Al-Nassr host FK Neftchi Fergana.The scale of the response will matter as much as the result itself. A one-year absence from the competition had created anticipation around Al-Nassr’s return, while Postecoglou had arrived with the task of turning a squad containing Ronaldo and other high-profile additions into a side capable of making a serious continental run.Instead, the first night exposed just how far there is still to go.

Al-Nassr fans turn on Ronaldo and Postecoglou

The reaction from the stands was predictably furious after Al-Nassr were beaten at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.Supporters had expected something very different from the club’s return to Asia’s elite competition, particularly with Ronaldo leading the side and Postecoglou now in charge.Some fans directed their anger towards Ronaldo himself, with the captain’s performance described by supporters as “pitiful” amid Al-Nassr’s failure to seriously threaten Al-Ain for long periods.Postecoglou faced even sharper criticism.Supporters questioned whether the Australian had made the difference they expected after his appointment, with Al-Nassr appearing short of answers at both ends of the pitch as the scoreline continued to worsen.Calls for his dismissal grew louder as the defeat unfolded.For a club that entered its AFC Champions League Elite return with ambitions of going deep into the competition, there could hardly have been a more damaging opening night. Ronaldo and Al-Nassr now have seven matches to change the story, but the first one has already left them with a four-goal deficit and very little margin for another collapse.