Former SAFA CEO speaks on challenges faced by PSL in VAR implementation
Former SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble has spoken out on the challenges faced by the PSL in implementing the Video Assistant Referee [VAR].
The calls for implementation of VAR has intensified in recent months following a surge in questionable decisions by the match officials since the start of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season.
A few months ago, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton Mckenzie revealed that his department is working on raising funds to fast-track the VAR technology.
Mckenzie further estimated that the VAR would cost R70 Million to R80 Million as a once-off payment whereas per match, it could cost R70, 000.
Meanwhile, the recent high-profile match that sparked controversy was the Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.
In a match that Sundowns won 2-1, the match officials on the day made a handful of questionable decisions, leaving football lovers frustrated.
DENNIS MUMBLE CITES FINANCIAL CHALLENGES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF VAR
With SA’s football fraternity waiting in anticipation for VAR, Dennis Mumble says the costs of the system could be the biggest problem from both PSL and SAFA at the moment.
“In terms of VAR, one thing is that FIFA has a standard that is expected to be met in the implementation of VAR. And that implementation is very costly. The equipments that are used for the implementation are very costly and the league would need to set aside millions of rands for this to happen,” Mumble told FARPost.
“The rest of the world is going that way and South Africa will be forced to do it some point, the question is where is the money going to come from?
“I don’t detect that there is a lack of will [for VAR implementation], I think there is a lack of money. So I see that SAFA has asked the minister if the government could come to the party or we need a way to find sponsors.
“The private sector could come in to sponsor in exchange of some other things of value, it’s something that appears to be serious given that the minister has been saying a lot about it.
“You know referees are human, they can make mistakes so I think VAR will help to mnimise or correct those mistakes. It’s just a matter of where SAFA or the PSL will get that money.”
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