VAR Debate Heats Up: McKenzie Says Yes, SAFA Says No

The debate over the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in the Betway Premiership is intensifying. Conflicting messages are emerging from key figures in local football. While Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie insists that VAR will be in play by next season, the South African Football Association (SAFA) says otherwise. This creates uncertainty among fans and stakeholders.

Minister McKenzie: “I’ve Delivered”

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has been vocal in recent months about his commitment to fast-tracking VAR into local football. Speaking at a public event in May, McKenzie stated that the groundwork had already been laid.

“I said April, and I delivered. The money’s available, the tender was published, and we even went to Spain with help from SuperSport to test the system. It’s fully functional,” he said. McKenzie stressed that the ball is now in SAFA’s court. He stated, “FIFA wants SAFA to lead this. We’ve done our part — the funds are secured. All that’s left is for SAFA to finalise the process.”

McKenzie expressed confidence that VAR will be used from next season onwards. He reassured supporters that despite delays, progress had been made. “Let’s allow SAFA the space to wrap things up. VAR is coming to our football,” he affirmed.

SAFA Refutes Timeline: “Nothing Has Moved”

However, Ebrahim Patel, the head of referees at SAFA, offered a very different perspective. According to a recent interview reported by KickOff, Patel dismissed claims that VAR is ready for rollout in the domestic league.

“Contrary to what’s being said, there’s been no significant progress. We’re still waiting for a formal response from the Ministry,” Patel stated. While confirming that the tender process has been completed, he noted that no service provider has yet been chosen to implement the technology.

Patel added that implementing VAR across the entire league next season is highly unlikely. He cited ongoing training requirements and logistical challenges. “There’s a chance we could see VAR in cup competitions, but definitely not for the full league season. We need to train more officials and make sure the system is reliable,” he explained.

Growing Pressure Amid Refereeing Errors

The divide between McKenzie’s optimism and SAFA’s caution comes amid growing frustration from fans and clubs over poor officiating. Several high-profile mistakes have reignited calls for technological intervention in local football.

One of the most talked-about incidents occurred early last season when Kaizer Chiefs believed they were wronged by a refereeing decision in a match against Mamelodi Sundowns. Since then, both pundits and supporters have frequently highlighted the need for VAR to help reduce match-defining errors.

What Lies Ahead for VAR in the Country?

With R90 million reportedly earmarked for the implementation and SuperSport already involved in system testing, the infrastructure for VAR appears to be within reach. However, the back-and-forth between SAFA and the Ministry raises concerns about execution.

While McKenzie has fulfilled much of his promise from a financial and administrative standpoint, it seems the actual deployment hinges entirely on SAFA’s next steps. Until a service provider is appointed and adequate training completed, full league-wide implementation will remain out of reach.

Also read: VAR Finally Coming to the PSL 2025/26 Season, Confirms Minister McKenzie

For now, fans may need to temper expectations. A limited rollout in knockout competitions could be the most realistic scenario in the short term — unless both parties align swiftly and decisively. The debate rages on, but for South African football, clarity is needed before VAR becomes a part of the beautiful game in the country.