Govt has 'delivered' on VAR, ball now in SAFA’s court - McKenzie
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie says his department has delivered on the promised implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
The technology is expected to be rolled out next season in the top-flight Betway Premiership.
McKenzie briefed the media at Freedom Park in Pretoria on Wednesday.
The announcement by the minister comes after calls for VAR to be implemented over concerns about the standard of officiating in the PSL.
Since its official inclusion in the game's laws, it has been implemented in over 100 competitions globally, leaving South Africa lagging behind most rival leagues.
It’s estimated that the VAR implementation would cost around R80 million.
McKenzie said the South African Football Association (SAFA) has been given the necessary funds to implement the technology.
"Football is not waiting for South Africa; we’ve kept our promise of VAR. I have the proof of payment that the Treasury has given us permission. We’ve given the money for VAR to SAFA, they must just pay,” the minister said.
"I don’t want to hear somebody asking me, ‘Where is VAR?’ We have assembled the people; we have done the expertise. We have delivered on VAR.”
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