VAR rollout stalls despite R20m pledge from minister McKenzie

Referees and coaches say system is needed

- By Kgomotso Mokoena

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton Mckenzie says training and remuneration costs are the only things delaying the disbursement of funds for VAR.

(Gallo Images)

Even though Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie vehemently proclaimed three months ago that he had secured R20-million from the National Treasury for the video assistant referee (VAR), the implementation of the technology has seemingly ground to a halt.

Information reaching Sunday World is that the treasury is not releasing the purported R20-million, and the South African Football Association (Safa) has not received a cent.

But yesterday, McKenzie moved quickly to quell the rumours and said that they will be channelling the funds to the national association in the next few weeks after meeting with Premier Soccer League chairman Irvin Khoza.

As things stand, VAR will not happen, as assured, in the semifinals and final of the Nedbank Cup - it also looks highly unlikely that it is going to be ready for the start of the next season.