South Africa's Safa announces VAR rollout despite stakeholder concerns

The South African Football Association (Safa) has announced plans to roll out Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in domestic football following significant delays. Despite an R82 million allocation announced by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in September 2025, the implementation has faced setbacks regarding technical standards, training, and operational readiness required by FIFA.

Concerns have been raised regarding the exclusion of key stakeholders in the rollout process. The Premier Soccer League (PSL) and broadcaster SuperSport were notably absent from recent discussions led by Safa officials and Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie. Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao indicated that consultations with broadcasters, specifically SuperSport, are still pending and necessary before final approval is granted.