The SAFA referees committee chairperson Victor Gomes has argued that the implementation of Video Assistant Referee [VAR] won’t immediately solve SA’s problems.
These calls for PSL to have VAR in the league were fueled by recent poor officiating in the DStv Premiership.
The recent match between Moroka Swallows and Sekhukhune United saw the Dube Birds being awarded a controversial goal after Sekhukhune goalie Ali Sangare was judged to have landed over the goal line with the ball.
Sangare was impeded by Swallows striker Gabadinho Mhango, instead of the referee giving the foul on the goalkeeper, he surprisingly awarded a goal to Swallows.
The SAFA review committee has since suspended the match officials Siyabonga Nkomo and Thamaga Sebati for wrongfully awarding a goal that affected the outcome of the match.
With referees being in the spotlight for the wrong reasons in the new season, Gomes has revealed that the federation has made inroads in implementing VAR.
However, the retired referee, Gomes said VAR won’t immediately solve poor officiating problems.
VICTOR GOMES SHED LIGHT ON THE PROGRESS OF VAR IN THE PSL
“I can tell you that from a committee perspective, we’ve complied with everything. We’ve already written to FIFA and they acknowledged our request to begin [with VAR implementation],” Gomes said on MSW.
“They now waiting for our office to appoint a project manager. So we just waiting for the powers to take us to the next level. What were are aiming for is to do the Nedbank Cup final this season with VAR.
“We only have two to three referees that are trained at the moment. So that’s also a factor.
“A full introduction into the league could only take place in the next three years or so. If we go with blanket rollout, the we haven’t tested it properly.
“VAR is not going to solve all our problems, it’s going to reduce the problems. Minimum interference and maximum benefits, that’s want we want with VAR.”
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