SAFA given 21 days to explain R13m VAR funding, says Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie

South Africa’s Department of Sport has given the South African Football Association (SAFA) 21 days to account for R13 million allocated for the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie says.

McKenzie said he had demanded the return of the state funds after becoming frustrated by the lack of progress in bringing VAR to the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

The minister has played a prominent role in efforts to introduce the system to South African football, following a series of high-profile refereeing controversies in the Betway Premiership.

Speaking to the media after the 19th South African Sport Awards at Sun City in North West on Sunday, McKenzie said his department had formally written to SAFA about the money and the failure to implement the project.

According to the minister, SAFA responded by asking for 21 days to resolve the matter.

“What I did as a Minister, I did two things. I took journalists, administrators and I took the team down to Spain and the UK so that they can go and see. So that we can compare which one is the best for us,” McKenzie said.

“I then took R13 million and I took it to SAFA and I can tell you now, that’s where I can’t do more as the Minister.”

McKenzie said the lack of progress had left him with no alternative but to seek the return of the money, which he described as state funds for which he was responsible.

“I wrote SAFA a letter where I said they should return my money and SAFA asked for 21 days grace,” he said.

“I am just as angry because what more can I do? I asked them in a letter to bring back my money, the money of the state because I am responsible for it. They said they will act within 21 days because there was no action.”

The minister insisted that his objective remained the introduction of VAR in the PSL and said he was prepared to pursue other avenues if necessary.

“We were supposed to have VAR. So people shouldn’t look at me. I am the Minister that put it on the table that VAR should be there. I did everything humanly possible,” he said.

“I am now writing to FIFA, I have already spoken to them, but now I am writing to them, because they wanted it in writing, to go another way to get VAR.”

McKenzie said he still expected the technology to be implemented and apologised to supporters for the delays.

“There will be VAR in the PSL and I want to apologise to the people. I have been let down terribly because what can I say? I have done everything.”

He also alleged that people within SAFA were deliberately preventing the project from moving forward.

“There are some gatekeepers at SAFA who are corrupt and don’t want VAR to happen,” he alleged.

McKenzie said he planned to name two SAFA officials whom he believed were obstructing the implementation of VAR.

“I am going to give SAFA that 21 days but you must watch what happens after 21 days,” McKenzie added.

The minister’s comments came as Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, goalkeeper Rowen Williams and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi were pictured listening as McKenzie welcomed the national team at OR Tambo Airport on 2 July.