The SA Football Association (Safa) CEO, Lydia Monyepao, has provided a candid update on the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), stating that they are awaiting approval from Fifa.
Monyepao was speaking to the media during a press briefing at Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Tshwane on Wednesday afternoon.
Monyepao was joined by Safa president Danny Jordaan and his deputy, Linda Zwane, as well as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie and his deputy Peace Mabe at the top table.
“We are looking to the end of the season 2026/27 to be testing the VAR in our various playoffs. But obviously, there is the bigger league in which people want to see the VAR being implemented,” Monyepao said.
READ: Safa responds to Gayton McKenzie, saying they did not chow VAR funds
Engagements with PSL and broadcasters crucial
“But that will depend on how we engage with the PSL and the broadcasters as well. So, I cannot guarantee when exactly the VAR will be implemented because we have to further engage the PSL and the broadcasters.
“Based on guidance received from Cosafa and Fifa implementation requirements, the training and certification process for the referees needs to take place, which is expected to take approximately four to six months.”
Testing phase to start in lower divisions
Monyepao also stated that the VAR will start to be tested at the lower division leagues, such as the ABC Motsepe, and local cup competitions, such as the Nedbank Cup, and later will be rolled out to the Hollywoodbets Super League and the Betway Premiership.
READ: VAR would have caught the dirty, career-ending tackles
Most importantly, the Safa CEO confirmed that the R20-million sent to the association has not been spent and is safe.
McKenzie confident VAR will happen
McKenzie also weighed in and confirmed that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has been part of the VAR process, following his consultations with chairman Irvin Khoza.
“The PSL has been a part of the VAR process, and I have personally had meetings with Dr Irvin Khoza, and that is because we understand the importance of VAR in our game. Our next phase is to get sponsorship for the longevity of the VAR.
“VAR is not an easy thing to implement, but I can assure you that it is going to happen. We will be meeting with Fifa tomorrow [Thursday] to see how we can move forward with the VAR process.”
- Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao announced that VAR implementation is awaiting approval from Fifa and is expected to be tested by the end of the 2026/27 season in various playoffs.
- The VAR testing will begin in lower division leagues like the ABC Motsepe and local cup competitions such as the Nedbank Cup before rolling out to higher leagues like the Hollywoodbets Super League and Betway Premiership.
- Training and certification for referees, required for VAR implementation, is projected to take approximately four to six months.
- The R20-million fund allocated to Safa for VAR has not been spent and remains secure, according to Monyepao.
- Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed that the PSL has been involved in the VAR process and they will meet with Fifa to discuss next steps, expressing confidence that VAR implementation will happen.
