McKenzie hands VAR responsibility back to SAFA after R20m payment

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie says he can do no more to bring Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to South Africa after transferring R20 million to the South African Football Association (SAFA).

McKenzie was speaking at a media briefing held by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and SAFA on Wednesday in Pretoria, where the organisations gave an update on the delayed VAR rollout.

The technology has come under renewed scrutiny following controversial penalty decisions in Saturday’s MTN8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. The match intensified calls for VAR to be introduced as soon as possible.

McKenzie said he had fulfilled his responsibility by securing funding from the treasury and handing the first payment to SAFA chief executive Lydia Monyepao.

“I asked the treasury for money, for VAR, I’ve been fighting. In the portfolio committee I was attacked because of VAR but I stood my ground. I then got the money, I gave the money to the CEO (Lydia Monyepao), she is sitting right here behind me, I’m now waiting for VAR…” he said at the Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum.

The minister added that he had faced criticism despite pushing for the system to be implemented.

“There is not a single thing I can do more. Now people are blaming me, you are blaming the guy that brought VAR, I put it on the table, that VAR must be called ‘McKenzie’ when it comes, because I’ve really fought tooth and nail for VAR,” McKenzie said.

He recalled attending the MTN8 final and said supporters repeatedly held him responsible when penalty decisions went against their team.

“I went to the Sundowns game (MTN8 final), congratulations, I could not even enjoy the game, I was sitting there and when there was a penalty against Sundowns, all the Sundowns supporters turned around (and said), ‘McKenzie! Minister, where is the VAR!?’” he explained.

“Then Sundowns got a penalty against them and they turned around, ‘McKenzie where is the VAR!?’”

McKenzie said SAFA’s initial silence over the use of the funds had caused him concern, prompting him to demand their return.

“So I want to say to South Africans, when SAFA was quiet I got worried, I then sent the letter and said, ‘I want the money back!’”

Monyepao subsequently provided bank statements, which McKenzie said confirmed that the money remained with SAFA. He now wants the association to take responsibility for the next stage of the process.

“The CEO (Lydia Monyepao) then sent me the bank statements, I verified the bank statements and the money is there. So now South Africans, there is nothing I can do more, I’m giving over to the people who have the money and the expertise, I can’t be part of the whole VAR thing, FIFA has got rules,” he insisted.