SAFA provides VAR update as Minister McKenzie reveals its implementation cost

Published on by Joel Oliver

SAFA has confirmed that efforts are underway to have Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the PSL with the government ready to support its implementation.

SAFA had an ordinary NEC meeting in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, at the weekend, which was also attended by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, and VAR was among the agenda items discussed.

“We had a good engagement with Minister McKenzie, and he has committed to support the implementation of VAR. We will now meet again with him and the PSL to finalise the plan. He has made a commitment that he will make sure that there is a contribution from the government,” said SAFA boss Danny Jordaan.

Danny Jordaan Safa President

Calls for VAR introduction have grown bigger

Calls have been growing in South Africa to implement VAR due to a number of controversial decisions and errors from match officials which have proved costly in recent matches.

The update from SAFA comes over a week after McKenzie confirmed that he had fruitful talks with both Jordaan and PSL chairman Irvin Khoza over the issue with full details to be revealed soon.

SAFA has previously said the country is still not ready for VAR, given the high cost involved, as well as the lack of enough trained personnel in the country.

However, speaking to SABC, McKenzie said the government is ready to put down a deposit through the help of sponsors to fund VAR implementation.

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie. Photo: Gayton McKenzie X
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie. Photo: Gayton McKenzie X

How much will South Africa need to run VAR?

“We spoke specifically about VAR, we are now ready to move with VAR, we are going to put the deposit down as the department and we will then get sponsors to pay for it but we can't wait,” McKenzie said.

“From next week the ball is rolling with VAR and I want to thank the SAFA NEC for the work that they have already done as far as VAR is concerned.”

While responding to the SABC report, McKenzie later clarified, through a post on X, that South Africa will need between R70 million and R80 million in a one-off payment and R70,000 per game to implement VAR. 

Avatar photo

Joel Oliver

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.