By Zuko Komisa
- Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has demanded the South African Football Association (SAFA) return R13 million allocated for VAR implementation.
- The minister expressed outrage over continued delays after promising the technology would be operational for the current season.
- SAFA requested a 21-day grace period to respond, but McKenzie maintains he has fulfilled his state responsibilities.
South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, has launched a scathingly direct attack on the South African Football Association (SAFA) following persistent delays in introducing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to local football.
Demanding a full refund of state funds, McKenzie revealed he has formally instructed SAFA to return R13 million allocated to kickstart the project.
The minister expressed intense frustration over the association’s lack of progress, noting that despite fulfilling all government obligations including funding study trips to Europe to select the best system the technology remains absent from domestic fixtures.
Emphasising his accountability over public money, McKenzie made his stance clear during a recent press address:
“I wrote a letter to SAFA and said they must return the money. They asked for 21 days’ grace. I am just as angry, because what more can I do? I asked them to bring back the money of the state because I am responsible for it.”
Under FIFA regulations, VAR implementation must be executed directly through national governing bodies.
With SAFA failing to act, McKenzie insisted his hands are tied as a politician, defending his proactive efforts including taking local journalists and administrators to Spain and the UK while putting the blame squarely on the association’s failure to deliver.
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