South African government commits R90 million to VAR implementation in PSL

The South African government has made a definitive pledge yet towards introducing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in professional football, with the Department of Sport confirming a R90 million budget allocation for its establishment in the Betway Premiership.

This commitment comes after previous pronouncements by the SA Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, regarding the long-awaited system.

The detailed plan was revealed in a written response to a parliamentary portfolio committee inquiry, led by Rise Mzansi chief organiser and MP Makashule Gana on Tuesday.

The committee had posed five key questions concerning the VAR rollout:

In its reply, the Department of Sport stated that the formal procurement process between the department and SAFA has not yet commenced. However, significant progress is anticipated, with a proposal evaluation committee currently being assembled.

This committee is expected to assess approximately a dozen proposals already submitted to SAFA, likely starting in early June.

“The department is still to engage further with SAFA, agree on all matters related to this system and then enter into an agreement to implement the VAR system,” the response clarified. The crucial aspect of system maintenance is also yet to be determined, with details to be finalised and included in a future memorandum of agreement.

While full operational details remain under wraps, the department confirmed that the envisaged system is expected to include goal-line technology.

The department’s detailed response coincided with SAFA’s briefing to the sports committee on its 2023-24 annual report.

This development provides concrete backing to Minister McKenzie’s earlier promise that VAR would be implemented in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) by the upcoming season, set to kick off in August.

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