Sport minister outlines progress and next steps on VAR implementation in PSL
Sport, arts, and culture minister Gayton McKenzie has provided an update on the implementation of VAR in the PSL, outlining the next critical steps, while confirming the availability of funds and budgeted training for referees.
Minister McKenzie’s update comes a week after he announced that the highly anticipated introduction of the VAR [Video Assistant Referee] system in SA football is scheduled for April.
The ongoing concerns regarding officiating in the PSL have sparked heavy criticism from fans, coaches, and pundits, leading to the suspension of several referees, such as the highly rated Jelly Chavani, Abongile Tom, and Zakhele Siwela, by SAFA.
In response to the poor officiating issues, McKenzie, along with Betway Premiership tacticians such as Miguel Cardoso, Steve Barker, Vusumuzi Vilakazi, Manqoba Mngqithi, Nasreddine Nabi, and Chippa United boss Siviwe Mpengesi, has been a vocal advocate of introducing VAR in SA.
Minister McKenzie took to X [Twitter] on Sunday to confirm VAR’s progress and readiness, stating: “FIFA rules state clearly that VAR should happen through SAFA. We [the department of sport] met with the leadership of SAFA.”
He added: “An advert will be placed in seven days to find suitable service providers [for VAR technology]. The money is available, and training of referees has also been budgeted for. Thanks SAFA, thanks PSL, we are ready.”
COST OF IMPLEMENTING VAR IN BETWAY PREMIERSHIP
Despite the sport minister’s assurance of funding, VAR implementation won’t come cheap. It has been estimated that the setup costs would be around R70-80 million, followed by R70,000 per game. However, McKenzie maintains that VAR is vital for raising the level of SA football.
Last October, McKenzie explained that the high cost of VAR necessitated his department’s involvement in fundraising, as the cash-strapped SAFA could not be expected to cover the entire expense.
“Soccer makes all of us happy. The GNU [government of national unity] will put the bulk of that money together with sponsorships and SAFA, to get together with people who love football. We want our football to get better, and VAR can make it,” he said.
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