Finally it is happening! VAR’s implementation date revealed

Published on by

Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton Mckenzie has promised to ensure the VAR is implemented in the Premier Soccer League by April.

There have been numerous controversial calls that have been made regularly by the referees in South Africa’s top-flight football. The fans have been calling on the introduction of the technology.

Many had anticipated it to be introduced at the beginning of the ongoing campaign, but it did not happen. However, in his recent interview at  Marawa Sports Worldwide, the minister confirmed the new development.

It means the government will spend between R70 million and R80 million to fully implement it. A game will cost R70,000 but McKenzie insists Safa and PSL management will not bare all the costs. 

Mzansi can afford VAR

Danny Jordaan Image SABC

“VAR must come. I have made a promise. just to show the listeners that it was not just talks. I have met the whole board of Safa regarding VAR,” he stated.

“I had a full presentation to understand this thing that I have promised, what is that that I have promised, I have the costings of Safa, I have the independent costings of the department of sports, arts, and culture has done.

“I am going to bring VAR in April this year and give money (for the VAR) because you can’t say we can’t afford it. We can’t have the third division of soccer having VAR in other countries but our premier league does not have VAR. VAR makes players better players and more honest players,” McKenzie concluded.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

  • Football Odds
  • Sports Journalism
  • Football

Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.