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Gayton McKenzie’s department issues update on VAR

1y By Nomonde Simelane

After countless frustrated calls from coaches and fans alike, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has revealed that they have allocated R82 million specifically towards the sought-after Video Assisted Referee (VAR).

South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) has been hailed as one of the continent’s top leagues, from elite facilities and arenas, to getting local fans to fully buy in and support their respective teams. However, for some years now, local coaches and players in particular have been highly critical of the league for its failure or hesitance to introduce a much-needed VAR systems.

Furthermore, fans have also been highly critical of the state of officiating in the league, and have identified a need for improvement from the crew, as they highlight how South African football cannot compete on a global level with the current state of officiating in the league. These fans, together with the players and coaches, have expressed that they believe the introduction of VAR would greatly improve the state of football.

After countless calls, Gayton McKenzie’s Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture recently announced that they will be allocating R82 million towards the implementation of VAR in South Africa.

“To support this critical advancement, the Department has allocated R82 million from its current budget specifically for the VAR project. This funding will enable the swift development of a comprehensive project plan, training programmes for referees and officials, technology selection, stadium assessments, and the establishment of a VAR Training Centre. A portion of the budget will be dedicated to providing reliable connectivity at relevant stadiums, ensuring seamless integration of the VAR system while also enhancing overall stadium safety, for instance, by facilitating better communication in emergencies such as locating missing children,” the statement reads.

The news are greatly welcome by Mzansi’s football community, who have demanded the department to act swiftly to ensure that everything is ready for the commencement of the 2026/27 season.

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