By Charmaine Ndlela
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has warned that failure to implement Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology next season could signal corruption, insisting government has already transferred the funds to the South African Football Association (SAFA).
Speaking at a media briefing at Freedom Park in Pretoria on Thursday, McKenzie said there are no financial grounds for further delays.
“If there’s no VAR next year in SAFA, then there’s corruption… then there are people benefiting from the absence of VAR in this country,” he said.
He stressed that the department had fulfilled its obligations.
“What more can I do? I’ve done everything that I can do,” he said, adding that responsibility now rests with SAFA.
McKenzie said evolving global football regulations – influenced by former Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger in his role as the FIFA Chief of Global Football Development— make VAR increasingly indispensable.
“The new rules necessitate countries to have VAR,” he said.
He also pointed to questionable refereeing decisions, citing a recent Stellenbosch FC match.
“A player stopped the ball with a full hand, and they said there’s no penalty. What are these people doing?” he said.
While expressing confidence in SAFA and the Premier Soccer League (PSL), McKenzie warned that failure to meet the next-season deadline would trigger decisive action.
“If there’s no VAR, we will institute a commission of inquiry… we will engage sponsors, the portfolio committee and FIFA,” he said.
He added that individuals could be publicly named if delays persist.
“I will not take this lying down. I will go public and name people,” he said.
McKenzie confirmed that SAFA is close to appointing a service provider.
“SAFA is on the verge of announcing the preferred bidder… installation can follow within days, with specialised training thereafter,” he said.
He stressed that South Africa cannot afford to lag behind other African nations.
“We can’t be beaten by countries like Tanzania… we have the best league on the continent,” he said.
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