McKenzie demands return of R13m as VAR delay frustrates PSL fans

South Africa’s long-awaited introduction of video assistant referee (VAR) technology has been thrown into further doubt after Sport, arts, and culture minister Gayton McKenzie gave the South African Football Association (Safa) 21 days to return R13m allocated to the project.

The delay has prompted growing frustration among football supporters, many of whom are questioning whether VAR will ever be used in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

The state funding was intended to cover the initial costs of introducing the technology, as well as training for referees. VAR had been expected to be operational during the current top-flight season, but the planned rollout did not take place.

That failure has increased uncertainty around the future of the project and raised concerns about the implementation of the system in South African football.

McKenzie said he had reached the limit of what he could do in his ministerial role and had formally asked Safa to repay the money. He also alleged that corruption within the football governing body was preventing the project from progressing.

“There are people at Safa who take advantage of the fact that the public will blame Danny [Jordaan], and he allows that,” McKenzie said. “There are gatekeepers there who are corrupt; they simply don’t want VAR to happen.

“How do you explain the minister putting money forward and nothing coming of it? There are two officials who are blocking this project. They are corrupt to the core. What more can I do?”

The minister apologised to the public for the setback and said he regretted that VAR had not been introduced as planned. McKenzie maintained that he had taken every step available to him in an effort to deliver the technology.

His demand for the return of the funds represents a major setback to the proposed introduction of VAR in the PSL, which had been expected to benefit from the system during the current season.

The unresolved dispute has also intensified the debate among South African supporters about accountability for the delay. Fans had been waiting for the technology to be implemented after the initial funding was made available for setup work and referee development.

The project’s failure to become operational has left the question of whether Mzansi will ever see VAR in the PSL unanswered.

The report was published by TimesLIVE and includes audio generated using artificial intelligence.