PSL fully behind Safa’s VAR plans, says chairman Irvin Khoza

PSL chairman Irvin Khoza says the league is ready to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) whenever the South African Football Association (Safa) completes the process, despite implementation remaining the association’s responsibility.

Safa recently appeared before the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) to account for the R20 million allocated to the VAR project. It confirmed that the funding has not been spent and has instead accrued interest.

The association said due diligence had identified several steps that still needed to be completed before VAR could be introduced. Its current plan is to test the technology in smaller leagues and selected top-flight competitions before considering a wider roll-out.

The PSL was not represented at the meeting, which was attended by Safa president Danny Jordaan, chief executive Lydia Monyepao, sport minister Gayton McKenzie and DSAC officials. Its absence prompted questions about the league’s position on the project.

Khoza moved to address those concerns while speaking during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to the PSL offices ahead of the local elections on Wednesday. He insisted the league was supporting Safa’s work and would be prepared to use VAR once it became available.

“VAR is not our competency, but Safa’s,” Khoza said. “We started the VAR talk in 2009 as the PSL, but it has since been taken over by Safa. They have a committee that is dealing with it right now. We are waiting for feedback to ensure that it works.”

He added: “We support it and want it at all costs. It takes away the human effect of people talking in discussion, but it must come. We are ready for it as the PSL. My CEO (Mato Madlala) is here to support that.”

Safa has also held discussions with Fifa about securing permission to use COSAFA’s facilities to train referees and help them become familiar with the system.

However, the association has acknowledged that bringing VAR into operation this season may be difficult. It says more than R30 million is still required to finance the project.

Khoza’s comments clarify that the PSL’s absence from the DSAC meeting should not be interpreted as opposition to VAR. The league’s position is that Safa must lead the implementation, while the PSL remains prepared to support and adopt the system.