Government Releases Funds to Fast Track VAR in South African Football

South African football could soon enter a new technological era.

After years of debate, complaints from clubs and growing pressure from fans, the Video Assistant Referee system appears to be edging closer to reality in the local game. This week, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed that funding has officially been released to the South African Football Association (SAFA) to begin preparing for VAR’s rollout.

The announcement came during a departmental press briefing held at the Freedom Park Heritage Site in Pretoria, where McKenzie revealed that the National Treasury had already transferred the money needed to get the process moving.

For many supporters who have watched controversial refereeing decisions dominate post-match conversations in the Betway Premiership, the news signals a potential turning point.

Read more: VAR Finally Coming to SA Football and Gayton McKenzie Says the Wait is Almost Over

Funding Released To Kickstart The Process

McKenzie said the department has fulfilled its commitment to help introduce VAR to South African football.

According to the minister, documentation confirming the payment was already in hand, showing that the government had transferred the funds to SAFA to enable preparations for the system’s implementation.

He stressed that the responsibility now rests with the football association to move forward with the rollout.

The department had previously allocated R20 million in the current financial year to help kickstart the project. Earlier estimates suggested that implementing VAR nationwide could cost as much as R80 million, which meant careful planning was needed before committing to the technology.

Instead of rushing into a costly rollout, the government and SAFA opted to assess the process thoroughly first.

Technical Team Evaluated The Best VAR Options

Before the funding was released, a technical panel was assembled to investigate how VAR could realistically work in the South African football environment.

The group included respected figures in local refereeing circles. Former FIFA referee Daniel Bennett led the technical process alongside Victor Gomes, who has officiated at some of the world’s biggest tournaments.

Their task was to examine different technology providers and determine which systems could meet international standards while still being practical for the local game.

The team also worked closely with FIFA to ensure that whatever system is eventually implemented aligns with global VAR protocols used in major competitions.

Government And SAFA Working Together

McKenzie explained that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture did not want to leave the entire process to SAFA alone.

Instead, officials participated in international benchmarking exercises, studying how other football nations have introduced VAR and how the technology continues to evolve.

The goal was to ensure South Africa adopts a system that is both modern and sustainable for domestic competitions.

The minister also praised SAFA’s leadership for working closely with the department during the process, describing the cooperation between the organisations as essential to making the project possible.

Why VAR Matters For The Local Game

Calls for VAR have grown louder in South African football over the past few seasons.

Several high profile refereeing controversies in cup finals and league matches have sparked debate about whether technology could help improve decision making and restore confidence in match officiating.

Across the world, VAR has already become a standard feature in elite competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and many top domestic leagues.

If implemented successfully in South Africa, the system could reshape the way refereeing decisions are handled in the Betway Premiership, the Nedbank Cup, and other major competitions.

For now, the funding milestone represents the clearest sign yet that VAR is no longer just a proposal. The next challenge will be turning the plan into reality before the start of the next football season.

Read more: Gayton McKenzie Sets the Record Straight on Football Funding Claims

{Source:SABC Sport}

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