Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has announced that the government is ready to put down a deposit to assist the SA Football Association with implementing the costly video assistant referee (VAR) technology in the Premier Soccer League.
Calls for the introduction of VAR in the PSL were renewed after the PSL game between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns earlier this month, which saw match officials being pelted with objects by fans as they attempted to leave the pitch after making several contentious decisions during the game.
In that game, the referees awarded Sundowns a contentious goal which was believed to be offside, while Chiefs were denied an equalizer after a contentious foul was awarded.
There was also a huge outcry from football fans across the country after last week's MTN 8 final where a controversial refereeing decision allowed Orlando Pirates to gain a 2-1 lead late in the game.
Many believe that the introduction of VAR would help improve the standard of officiating in the country. The technology is already being used in Europe and in some African countries such as Egypt and Morocco.
McKenzie revealed that the government was prepared to put down a deposit to help fast-track the introduction of VAR in the country.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie says they’re mobilizing sponsors to fund VAR. He clarified that it’s going to cost R80million once off, and R70 000 per game.
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) October 13, 2024
📹 #SABCSport’s @Velile_Mnyandu #SABCSportFootball pic.twitter.com/1M111ZaXWP
“It’s very expensive and we can’t have Safa carry the bill alone, soccer makes all of happy,” McKenzie told the SABC Sport.
“This is a national sport, we as government are willing, the government of national unity will definitely put in the bulk of that money together with sponsorships and SAFA“.
McKenzie also revealed that implementing VAR in the country would require about R80 million, along with an additional R70,000 per game.
The minister added that government will also get sponsors to pay for VAR and thanked the leadership of Safa for their efforts.
“We will then get sponsors to pay for it but we can’t wait. From next week the ball is rolling with VAR and I want to thank the Safa NEC for the work they have already done in as far as VAR is concerned,” McKenzie said.
Meanwhile Safa president Danny Jordaan said the next step will be a meeting between Safa, PSL and the minister to finalise the plan.
“We had a good engagement with the minister, he has committed to support the implementation of VAR. We will meet now again with him and the PSL to finalise the plan going forward,” Jordaan said.
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