PSL, SuperSport need to be part of VAR implementation

Safa excluded league, broadcatser and referees

- By Kgomotso Mokoena

Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace's celebrations were short-lived after a VAR check by Referee Darren England rules because of an infringement by Marc Guéhi during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace./ Getty Images

(Getty Images)

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie and the South African Football Association (Safa) are facing the firing line after forging ahead with the implementation of VAR and excluding the main role players, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and its broadcast rights holders SuperSport.

Last weekend, McKenzie sent a Safa project team led by former referee Daniel Bennett to Spain to engage prospective service-providers on a fact-finding mission, leaving the PSL and its TV partners, SuperSport, out in the cold.

The PSL, which will be the foremost consumers of the VAR services, and SuperSport, the chief broadcasters of all PSL matches, will have to work hand in hand with VAR teams.