McKenzie demands R30m back from SAFA over failed VAR rollout

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie told Parliament he has formally asked the South African Football Association (SAFA) to return R30 million after the organisation failed to deliver Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Minister demands repayment and gives deadline

During a Portfolio Committee session, McKenzie said he had written to SAFA and instructed the association to repay the funds. He said he had initially cited R13 million as part of the sum allocated for VAR but corrected himself before the committee. McKenzie also said SAFA had asked for 21 days’ grace to respond.

Accountability and public funds in focus

The dispute centres on the delayed implementation of VAR for the PSL and accountability for public funds provided to SAFA. McKenzie told MPs:

“SAFA must pay back the money. They ignored correspondence, they failed the public, and they left me politically exposed.”

Further steps and communications

McKenzie said he had contacted FIFA and was putting his concerns to them in writing. He told the committee:

“I wrote to them: ‘Bring back my money – the money of the state.’ We were supposed to have VAR. I did everything humanly possible. Now I’m writing to FIFA. I’ve already spoken to them, but they said I must put it in writing.”

SAFA response

SAFA acknowledged delays, apologised and said it was evaluating proposals to implement VAR. The association asked the minister for the 21 days’ period to respond to his demand.

Parliamentary scrutiny widens

The VAR repayment row was one of several issues McKenzie faced in the Portfolio Committee, which also questioned the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s World Cup delegation spend and board appointments. McKenzie defended the delegation and said:

“The progress we made in showcasing South Africa on the global stage cannot be reduced to numbers alone. We took our culture, our legends, and our people to the world. That is nation‑building.”

He remained defiant on the wider criticisms, saying:

“I will not apologise for taking South Africa to the world. But I will ensure every cent is accounted for. Transparency is non‑negotiable.”