Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has announced an allocation of R82 million to accelerate the rollout of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in South African football.
In a statement on Thursday, the department said “significant progress” had been made in collaboration with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL), highlighting that the investment is aimed at improving the integrity and fairness of domestic competitions.
“This initiative responds to growing concerns about refereeing decisions, fan dissatisfaction, and the need to safeguard South Africa’s standing in global football if VAR is not adopted,” the department noted.
SAFA’s role and progress
While the PSL manages the league, it is SAFA that oversees refereeing in the country. The federation has already taken several steps towards implementation, including publishing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for VAR technology, receiving submissions from service providers, and aligning the project with FIFA’s Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme (IAAP).
The department praised SAFA’s “exemplary commitment” to transparency and compliance with FIFA’s standards, adding that a dedicated VAR Project Team had been appointed and talks with the PSL were ongoing to ensure a coordinated rollout.
How the money will be used
The R82 million allocation will fund:
A detailed project plan and training programmes for referees and officials.
Technology procurement and stadium assessments.
Establishment of a VAR Training Centre.
Improved stadium connectivity, not only for VAR but also for public safety, including emergency communications such as tracing missing children.
Timeline and rollout challenges
Although the tender process has been completed, a committee still needs to review bids and appoint a service provider. DSAC indicated that VAR could be introduced as early as next season but cautioned that it may only feature in select cup fixtures at first.
“As far as refereeing is concerned, we are ready,” the department said. “However, full implementation in the league will take longer due to the extensive training required for match officials.”
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