McKenzie says South Africa’s VAR decision will be announced on Wednesday

The long-running uncertainty over the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in South African football could be resolved this week, with Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie confirming that an announcement is due on Wednesday.

McKenzie provided the update in response to a question on X following the MTN8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

“We making an announcement on Wednesday,” he said.

The minister has repeatedly challenged the South African Football Association (SAFA) over the delay in bringing VAR to the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

During the previous football season, McKenzie said funding had been made available to SAFA to help accelerate the implementation of the technology. Football authorities subsequently indicated that there had not been enough time to introduce VAR at that stage, with the expectation that it could be implemented during the current term.

However, the current season is already under way and no further update had been issued before McKenzie’s latest statement.

SAFA had requested a 21-day grace period in relation to the VAR process, but that period has now expired.

McKenzie, who is also the leader of the Patriotic Alliance, most recently voiced his anger and frustration at the continued absence of VAR in the PSL.

The planned announcement is expected to clarify the progress made towards implementation and the next steps for the technology in South African football.