Source: @Sean Roberts

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has confirmed that the R20 million allocated specifically for the rollout of Video Assistant Referee technology remains untouched and securely held, despite the delays that have pushed VAR beyond its intended start date in the Premier Soccer League.

The confirmation follows Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie’s warning that SAFA could face a recall of funds if it failed to establish a credible plan for introducing VAR in South African football. SAFA has acknowledged that the implementation process has taken longer than initially anticipated, but insists the money has not been lost or spent elsewhere.

SAFA and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture have both confirmed that R20 million was transferred to the football association for the VAR project in April 2026. The funding is reportedly being kept separately while SAFA completes its internal assessment and due diligence around the rollout.

The funding figures have also caused some confusion. McKenzie referred to R30 million being transferred to SAFA, but the available figures indicate that SAFA received R29.2 million in total funding from DSAC during the 2025-26 financial year. The R20 million VAR allocation formed part of that broader amount.

For South African football, the issue is now less about whether funding exists and more about how quickly the technical and operational requirements can be completed.

VAR is not simply a matter of installing cameras at PSL stadiums. The system requires suitable broadcast infrastructure, video review facilities, trained officials, communication systems and clearly defined procedures for match officials. SAFA also has responsibility for refereeing in South Africa, while the PSL administers the country’s top professional divisions, making cooperation between the two organisations essential.

SAFA has confirmed that consultations with the PSL have started as part of the next phase of the process. That cooperation will be particularly important because VAR decisions have a direct impact on the administration and presentation of professional league matches.

The original political expectation was for VAR to be available from the start of the 2026-27 PSL season. With the campaign already underway without the technology, that target has been missed. There is currently no confirmed date for when the system will become operational.