PSL calls for VAR as Soweto Derby officiating row intensifies

The Premier Soccer League has backed the introduction of Video Assistant Referee technology in South Africa, following renewed criticism of match officials after last weekend’s Soweto Derby.

The league says responsibility for implementing VAR rests with the South African Football Association (SAFA), but PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza confirmed it is ready to support the system.

VAR has become a major talking point in South African football, with the absence of the technology increasingly questioned after a series of contentious decisions, particularly in PSL matches.

Referee Luxolo Badi faced intense scrutiny during the match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium. Several incidents were debated during and after the fixture, while some of Badi’s decisions attracted strong criticism.

Orlando Pirates won the high-profile game 2-1, a result that prompted a furious response from Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando De Cruz. The Amakhosi manager criticised the officiating and suggested their opponents had effectively “played with a 12th player”.

The controversy has increased pressure for VAR to be introduced, although Khoza said the PSL does not have the authority to bring in the technology itself.

“VAR is not our competence; it is the competence of SAFA. We started the VAR talk in 2009 as PSL, but it was taken over by SAFA,” Khoza said during South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to the PSL offices on Monday.

Khoza added that SAFA had established a committee to consider the issue and that the league was awaiting its findings.

“They have got a committee that is dealing with it right now. We are waiting for a report back to make sure it works,” he said.

The PSL chairman made clear that the league supports VAR, while also acknowledging that the technology could alter some of the debate that surrounds refereeing decisions.

“We are supporting it. We want it at all costs on all sides. It must work, but it takes away the human factor of people talking and discussing,” said Khoza.

Despite the responsibility lying with SAFA, he confirmed that the PSL would be prepared to adopt the system once the necessary work had been completed.

“But it must come. We are ready for it as PSL,” he declared.