Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has confirmed progress on the implementation of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). The system is expected to cost R80 million for the initial setup, with a game fee of around R70,000.
McKenzie shared that his department plans to make an upfront deposit, aiming to secure sponsors to help fund the remaining costs. “We are now ready to move with VAR. The department will put the deposit down, and sponsors will help cover the rest, but we can’t wait,” he told SABC Sport.
Government Commitment to Funding VAR
The introduction of VAR is a costly venture, but McKenzie remains adamant that it will benefit South African football. He thanked the South African Football Association (Safa) National Executive Committee (NEC) for their ongoing efforts to support the initiative. “VAR is expensive, and the Safa president is right. We can’t expect Safa to carry this cost alone. Soccer unites us as a country, and as a government, we are willing to help cover the bulk of this cost through partnerships and sponsorships,” McKenzie explained.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to leading the project. “The government of national unity will put in a significant portion of the money, together with sponsors, Safa, and football enthusiasts,” he added.
First Deposit Set to Be Paid
McKenzie has set a strict timeline for the VAR rollout, stating that the ball will start rolling next week. He emphasised that discussions with Safa have been positive, and the first deposit will be paid soon. “We have no time to waste. We will meet with Safa next week, and after that, the first deposit will be paid. We are moving forward with this,” McKenzie confirmed.
Safa president Danny Jordaan echoed McKenzie’s sentiments, confirming that plans for VAR implementation are progressing. “We had a positive engagement with Minister McKenzie, and he pledged his support for VAR. The government has committed to contributing financially, and we will meet with him and the PSL again to finalise the plans,” Jordaan said.
McKenzie has been a vocal advocate for VAR since last month, particularly after a controversial match between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Conclusion
VAR promises to be a game-changer for South African football, enhancing the quality and fairness of matches. With the government, Safa, and sponsors all contributing, the implementation of VAR in the PSL could be a reality sooner than expected.
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