Sports Minister provides update on VAR talks with SAFA & PSL

Published on by Joel Oliver

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie says progress is being made in the efforts to have Video Assistant Referee (VAR) introduced in the PSL.

McKenzie has confirmed that he had fruitful talks with both SAFA president Danny Jordaan and PSL chairman Irvin Khoza over the issue and hopes to provide full details soon after also holding discussions with representatives of those who brought VAR to the Premier League.

“Great work has been done by both SAFA & PSL in making VAR a possibility,” McKenzie said via a post on X.

When should South Africans expect VAR?

“We spoke to both Dr Danny Jordaan & Dr Khoza. I went through the presentation & finance required. I was also contacted by the team that brought VAR to the English Premier League. We will soon report in detail.”

His sentiments come less than a week after he called for the speedy introduction of VAR in the PSL following outcry from coaches, pundits and fans after the controversial officiating witnessed in the match between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend.

“All football loving fans know that the time for VAR has arrived in SA football,” McKenzie said through a social media post.

“We need VAR & we need it now, those meetings start now because we are not a 10th world country. I shall report back soonest after meeting SAFA & the PSL this week.”

Why are calls for the technology growing louder?

Chiefs coach Nabi reveals what irked him most in Sundowns clash
Thapelo Morena and Mduduzi Shabalala – Picture by Mamelodi Sundowns

Sundowns’ second goal was a contentious one as Lucas Ribeiro Costa appeared to be slightly offside when he received the ball before squaring to Iqraam Rayners to score and there was another moment of surprise when referee Sikhumbuzo Gasa ruled out Chiefs’ equaliser.

However, subsequent reviews by former referee Victor Hlungwani proved that the two decisions were correct even though calls are still growing for the introduction of VAR.

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.

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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.