South Africa’s VAR rollout could cost more than R50m, says Safa chief

South Africa’s introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology could require more than R50 million for a complete rollout and long-term operation, South African Football Association (Safa) chief executive Lydia Monyepao says.

The figure is significantly higher than the R20 million previously associated with the project, which was provided by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC).

Safa recently explained to DSAC why VAR has not yet been introduced, despite receiving the funding. Monyepao said the original allocation remains untouched and has earned R500,000 in interest since it was deposited in April.

She also said Safa still needed to complete several regulatory requirements before it could begin a pilot project.

Speaking at a joint media briefing held by DSAC and Safa at the Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Pretoria, Monyepao presented a three-year plan for implementing VAR, including the priorities for its first two years.

“The first year was mainly for the procurement of VAR equipment, including mobile broadcast vehicles, insurance, and connectivity,” she said. “The second year was focused on training the referees, but when we noticed that Cosafa was already ahead, we consulted with them.”

The initial DSAC funding was intended to finance only the first year of the wider programme. Monyepao said Safa’s full three-year submission amounted to R50 million.

“The budget that we submitted to DSAC was a three-year budget,” she said. “The first budget was R20 million … but the total budget was R50 million.”

However, that amount does not include the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) own operational costs. The league will need to assess the daily expense of using VAR across its competitions, including 240 matches and the playoffs.

“I have to add a disclaimer to the R50 million figure and state that the PSL has not had a say in this,” Monyepao said. “We don’t know yet, from a logistical point of view covering 240 matches and playoffs, how much that will cost.

“The PSL has raised that concern, and we will engage them. The budget we have is for the tasks of Safa – as the custodian of referees – must undertake to kick off the VAR implementation.”

The PSL’s absence from the briefing attracted attention in Pretoria, but DSAC said the league remained aligned with the VAR discussions and developments.

Safa also confirmed that the procurement tender had not yet been awarded, although bids had been submitted. According to DSAC, the PSL had contributed input and recommendations to the process.

The association said it had nevertheless made progress in preparing for referee training, using expertise from organisations including Cosafa and Fifa.