Department Allocates R82 Million for VAR System in South African Football

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has confirmed the allocation of R82 million to fund the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in South African football. The initiative, undertaken in partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL), aims to improve officiating standards and restore public confidence in domestic competitions.

The decision follows years of growing criticism over controversial refereeing calls, which many believe undermine the credibility of the local game. With VAR already in use across most leading football nations, stakeholders have stressed that South Africa risks falling behind if it does not adopt the system.

Procurement and Implementation Milestones

According to DSAC, significant progress has already been made:

• A Request for Proposals (RFP) for VAR technology has been published.
• Bids from potential service providers have been received.
• SAFA has aligned its approach with FIFA’s Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme (IAAP) to ensure compliance with international standards.
• A dedicated VAR Project Team has been appointed to oversee the process, while ongoing discussions with the PSL seek to secure a collaborative rollout.

The allocated funds will cover project planning, referee and official training, stadium infrastructure upgrades, and the creation of a VAR Training Centre. Part of the budget will also be directed towards improving stadium connectivity to support VAR operations and enhance communication systems during emergencies.

Minister McKenzie: “A Step Toward Fairer Football”

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, welcomed SAFA’s commitment to transparency and accountability throughout the process.

“We commend SAFA’s dedication to this process and their prioritisation of transparency and FIFA compliance. These measures will undoubtedly contribute to the successful rollout of VAR, enhancing the integrity and quality of our domestic competitions. The nation is eagerly awaiting the delivery of this system, especially as we continue to see questionable decisions by referees during matches,” McKenzie said.

Raising Standards for the Future

The rollout of VAR is being framed as part of the Government of National Unity’s wider efforts to elevate South African football to international standards. Authorities hope the move will not only bring greater fairness to the game but also inspire confidence among fans and foster the growth of local football talent.

SAFA has been urged to ensure that the R82 million allocation is effectively utilised within the current financial year, so the VAR system can be introduced into local competitions without further delay.