Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said on Wednesday that his department has allocated funding for the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in South African football, marking a major step toward modernising officiating in the domestic game.
Gayton McKenzie was speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria.
South African football fans has long since been begging for VAR to be introduced into the PSL to eliminate costly decisions by match officials.
VAR is a technology-assisted refereeing system designed to help on-field officials make accurate decisions during matches.
A dedicated VAR team monitors games remotely using multiple screens and camera angles, with real-time access to broadcast footage. The system alerts referees when a potential clear and obvious error has been identified in key match incidents.
Final cost lower than estimated
Initial estimates suggested that implementing VAR locally could cost as much as R80 million.
However, the department confirmed that the final projected cost has come in significantly lower than originally anticipated.
The first R20 million tranche has already been transferred to the South African Football Association (SAFA), which will act as the implementing authority in line with FIFA governance structures. The rollout will take place over a three-year period.
Carefully considered
In outlining the groundwork behind the decision, the department said benchmarking exercises were conducted internationally, including engagements in Spain and with Premier League Productions in the United Kingdom, where VAR is used in one of the world’s most-watched football leagues.
Officials emphasised that the project had been carefully considered and subjected to international comparison before funding was approved, describing the move as a significant milestone for South African football.
