Safa referees department: VAR in early technical assessment phase
VAR technology is in the early testing stages in South Africa, with the Safa Referees Department managing its implementation and promising official updates through designated channels. Picture: Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via AFP
Image: Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via AFP
Following the news on Monday that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) could be rolled out for the first time in South Africa next year, the Safa Referees Department has revealed that the technology is still in the early stages of testing.
After reports that VAR is set to be trialled during the Nedbank Cup semi-finals in April next year, it will still have to go through a number of implementation stages.
SA football has been crying out for the introduction of VAR for ages now, many years after it was used for the first time in the English Premier League in the 2019/2020 season.
SA Minister of Sport and Recreation Gayton McKenzie has also been promising the use of VAR.
South African Football Association’s (Safa) Referees Department Statement on VAR Implementation
“In conjunction with the VAR Project Team, has noted the recent keen public interest and discussions regarding the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in South African football.
The Department wishes to provide the following clarity:
- Project Status: The VAR project is a complex, high-priority initiative and is currently in its infancy stages of technical assessment, planning, and stakeholder alignment.
- Official Communication Channel: A dedicated VAR Project Team is in place, tasked with managing the entire implementation process, which includes procurement, infrastructure development, and training. This Project team is the sole, authorised body by Safa, to provide official updates on the project’s progress.
- Timing of Official Updates: The VAR Project Team has not yet held formal briefings with the media to provide comprehensive updates. All official project developments, milestones, and necessary announcements will be communicated by the Project Team in due course through the official Safa Media Channels and planned media engagements. To ensure that everyone receives the most accurate and reliable updates, we ask the general public and stakeholders to kindly rely on official statements issued directly by Safa.