The long-standing calls for the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in South Africa are nearing resolution, as Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has provided a significant update on its acquisition.
McKenzie revealed that his department is set to purchase the officiating system at the end of April.
“I’m following up on the things that I’ve been saying, but what I’m most excited about is two things, I said that I’m bringing back VAR and everybody said I’m lying. I can put a date, we are purchasing VAR end of April,” said minister McKenzie on the SMWX podcast.
The Minister announced that he has enlisted the support of top football governing bodies, including the English Premier League and Spanish La Liga, to aid in implementing the system in the country’s football.
“I am meeting the La Liga people, they want to assist. I am meeting the people of the English Premier League they want to assist. I’m going to both places to go and meet them and see and how far do they want to assist.”
Mckenzie had confirmed in October last year that his department together with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Premier Soccer League are working towards the implementation of 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 to SABC Sport.
It was disclosed that the system’s implementation is expected to cost approximately R80 million per year, and both the government and sponsors are prepared to contribute the necessary funds.
“Yeah, I’m a man of timelines, it’s very expensive, the president of SAFA is right and we can’t have SAFA alone carry the load. Soccer makes all of us happy, this is a national team,” he added.
“We as government are willing, the government of national unity will definitely put in the bulk of that money together with sponsorships, together with SAFA themselves and together with people that love football,” he concluded.