‘Don’t ask me about VAR,’ says McKenzie as he hands over implementation to Safa

The implementation of much talked about video assistant referee (VAR) has been delayed yet again, with South African Football Association (Safa) CEO Lydia Monyepao saying the project team have encountered practical challenges.

Safa received R20m for establishing VAR the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in April and the association said its target was to implement the technology at the start of the 2026-27 domestic season, but they missed that deadline.

The new target is the season-ending Nedbank Cup, the final stages of which usually kick off in February, and the Premier Soccer League [PSL] promotion-relegation playoffs, by which time Safa hope to have negotiated around the challenges it is facing now.

“The VAR task team, after performing some research, discovered several practical challenges affecting implementation of VAR,” Monyepao said at a joint implementation update press conference with Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie at Freedom Park in Pretoria on Wednesday.

“The project team also advised on a meaningful process alignment and agreement between Safa and the National Soccer League [NSL, the holding company for the PSL] regarding a joint implementation strategy.”

McKenzie said he is no longer involved in this issue, as he has handed it over to Safa.

“I gave money to the CEO and I am now waiting for VAR,” he said. “There is not a single thing I can do more.

“People are blaming me, but you are blaming the guy who brought VAR and put it on the table. It must be called ‘McKenzie’ when it comes because I have fought hard for it.

“I want to say to South Africans that when Safa was quiet, I got worried and I sent them a letter that I want the money back. The CEO showed me bank statements and I verified them.

“The money is there but there is nothing I can do more as a minister. I am handing over to the people who have the money and expertise.

“There is nothing [more] you can ask me about VAR. I put it on the table and I raised money for it because our football needs it.”

Monyepao spoke about the importance alignment of stakeholders and said implementation process is complex.

The PSL has been part of the discussions and part of meetings. I personally had meetings with [PSL chair] Dr Irvin Khoza, he has even delegated someone to represent the PSL in our meetings.

—  Gayton McKenzie

“[The project team] further noted that engagement with service providers, technical demonstrations and comprehensive evaluation processes require more time to be undertaken properly, that there had not been sufficient time afforded to the team to conduct this.

“The project team also expressed concern that unresolved stakeholder alignment issues such as the [confirmation of readiness from the] NSL and the broadcasters, combined with limited time frameworks, hindered implementation until such a time these matters are fully addressed and before significant procurement commitments are made.

“The team’s position reinforced the broader governance principles that implementation, which involves procurement of VAR equipment, should proceed only once all technical, football, operational and financial stakeholders are aligned.

“‘Why is implementation taking longer than anticipated?’ has been the question. The implementation of VAR is not merely the purchase of equipment, it is a complex football modernisation program requiring Fifa approval, referee certification and training, competition integration, broadcaster compatibility, infrastructure readiness, procurement compliance in line with our policies, sustainability planning and long-term operational funding.”

McKenzie said the PSL is involved in the process.

“The PSL has been part of the discussions and part of meetings. I personally had meetings with [PSL chair] Dr Irvin Khoza, he has even delegated someone to represent the PSL in our meetings.

“This is not a once-off cost, referees must be paid and as a minister I have put up my hand and said we will assist because we understand the importance of VAR in our game.”

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