South Africa minister gives SAFA 21 days over $800,000 VAR funds

SAFA has been given 21 days to account for more than $800,000 allocated to bring Video Assistant Referee technology to South African football. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie said the association requested the 21-day period after his department demanded an explanation for the use of the funds.

McKenzie said the money was intended to support the introduction of VAR in the Premier Soccer League. The technology has yet to be implemented in the domestic game, despite increasing calls for its adoption after a series of prominent refereeing controversies in the Betway Premiership.

The minister said he had taken journalists, football administrators and members of a technical team to Spain and the United Kingdom to examine VAR operations and compare possible approaches for South Africa. He presented the visits as part of work to determine the most suitable system for the local game.

After becoming dissatisfied with the lack of progress, McKenzie wrote to SAFA requesting that the state funds be returned. The association responded by asking for additional time to address the matter, giving it 21 days to act on the minister’s demand.

McKenzie said responsibility for the public money left him unable to ignore the delay. He maintained that his department had done what was required to place VAR on the agenda and that he remained committed to seeing the system introduced, even if further assistance outside SAFA became necessary.

South Africa’s current football results provide a separate backdrop to the dispute. The national team are second in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations standings with six points from three matches, having won two and lost one while scoring five goals and conceding four. Their recent five-match sequence is two defeats, two draws and one win, including a 1-0 victory over South Korea and a 1-1 draw in Jamaica.