VAR introduction to Betway Premiership could face further delays

The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the Betway Premiership remains uncertain, with SAFA chief executive Lydia Monyepao unable to provide a firm timetable for its arrival in the National Soccer League (NSL).

Although SAFA has increased efforts to advance the next stage of the country’s VAR rollout, an agreement has yet to be reached between the NSL, SAFA and broadcasters over who will pay the operating costs for VAR across 240 Betway Premiership matches each season. Cup fixtures are not included in that figure.

Monyepao said SAFA had set aside R50 million for its own work on the VAR project, but that funding did not cover the costs of running the system in the PSL.

As a result, testing will initially take place in competitions controlled by SAFA, with the lower leagues forming the main focus of the next phase.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum, Monyepao said the organisation would concentrate on referee training during the next six months.

“We’re going to work in the next six months in ensuring all our referees are trained, to ensure that we have a pool of referees we can work with. We’re going to work with COSAFA closely in the training of our referees. Within the league we’re in control of as SAFA, we’re looking at the end of the 2026/27 season to be testing the VAR in the play-offs,” Monyepao said when asked when VAR could be expected in the PSL.

She added that the competition where VAR is most wanted is the National Soccer League, but its introduction there would depend on further discussions involving the NSL and broadcasters.

“But obviously there is a bigger league that everyone wants to see VAR in, which is the National Soccer League, obviously that will depend on our engagements with the NSL and the broadcasters as well. So I can’t give guarantees on that (VAR in PSL) because it will depend on the further engagements we need to have with the PSL and broadcasters.

“Because one member of the (PSL) executive committee raised (a concern) in terms of the sustainability, who is going to be paying what, we need to determine that, so we can see how we take this forward, so that it is a sustainable project, not merely for one season but for many seasons to come,” Monyepao revealed.

The funding question is therefore central to any decision on the system’s wider use. SAFA must establish how the costs will be shared before VAR can be implemented in the PSL on a sustainable basis.