Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie has revealed that SAFA has requested a 21-day grace period after he demanded that they return R30 million meant to assist with the implementation of VAR.
McKenzie has been actively involved in assisting the association to implement the technology in the Premier Soccer League.
This comes after an outcry for VAR in the local league due to a series of high-profile refereeing blunders in the Betway Premiership. The outspoken Minister confirmed that his department has written a formal letter to SAFA to inquire about progress on introducing VAR.
Speaking to the media after the 19th edition of the South African Sport Awards at Sun City in the North West on Sunday, McKenzie said he has now asked SAFA to return the money because there has been no progress on VAR.
The Sports Minister also highlighted government financial support and international fact-finding efforts aimed at assessing European VAR systems, while clarifying that funding execution now rests strictly with SAFA.
“What I did as a Minister, I did two things. I took journalists and administrators, and I took the team down to Spain and the UK so that they could go and see. So that we can compare which one is the best for us [VAR systems]. I then took R30 million, and I took it to SAFA, and I can tell you now that’s where I can’t do more as the Minister,” he told journalists.
GAYTON MCKENZIE WRITES TO SAFA DEMANDING THE DEPARTMENT’S MONEY
“I wrote SAFA a letter where I said they should return my money, and SAFA asked for 21 days’ grace. I am just as angry because what more can I do? I asked them in a letter to bring back my money, the money of the state, because I am responsible for it. They said they will act within 21 days because there was no action.”
“We were supposed to have VAR. So people shouldn’t look at me. I am the Minister who put it on the table that VAR should be there. I did everything humanly possible. I am now writing to FIFA. I have already spoken to them, but now I am writing to them because they wanted it in writing, to go another way to get VAR. I am going to do that.
“There will be VAR in the PSL, and I want to apologise to the people. I have been let down terribly because what can I say? I have done everything. For me to write a letter to that extent, you must know how I feel,” he added.
SA SPORT MINISTER DEFENDS SAFA PRESIDENT OVER THE DELAY OF VAR IN SOUTH AFRICA
“You see, there’s one problem I picked up with SAFA. All the SAFA problems get blamed on Danny Jordaan. But there are people at SAFA who take advantage of the fact that people are going to blame Danny, and he allows that,” McKenzie claimed.
“There are some gatekeepers at SAFA who are corrupt and don’t want VAR to happen. How do you explain your Minister putting money forward and it’s not coming? I am telling you, when I went to SAFA [House], there were two officials. I am getting their names tomorrow, and I am going to name them; they are blocking this thing. Corrupt to the core.
“What is stopping VAR? What more can I do? I can tell you now, it’s not Danny Jordaan. There are officials in there that just will never be allowed. I am going to give SAFA that 21 days, but you must watch what happens after 21 days.”
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