The South African Football Association (SAFA) has officially responded to public scrutiny regarding the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in the Betway Premiership and the status of the R20 million grant received from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC).
Amid mounting pressure from football supporters and Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, SAFA issued a detailed statement outlining the project’s timeline, governance reviews, and the exact state of the allocated funds.
Key Takeaways from SAFA’s Official Statement
- R20 Million Funds Intact: SAFA confirmed that the full R20 million transferred by DSAC in April 2026 remains unspent and securely held in a dedicated account, accruing interest.
- No Contracts Signed Yet: Although SAFA completed a technical evaluation identifying three preferred VAR technology providers, no binding contracts or procurement agreements have been executed.
- Governance & Cost Review: The SAFA National Executive Committee (NEC) approved VAR implementation in principle in May 2026, but mandated a thorough review of budget assumptions, long-term costs, and procurement policies by its Finance Committee and a dedicated task team.
- PSL & Stakeholder Engagement: SAFA’s VAR Project Team has presented implementation frameworks to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Executive Committee via the Joint Liaison Committee (JLC).
- 21-Day Deadline Granted: Following an August 18 meeting with DSAC, the department granted SAFA a final 21-day extension to finalize budget verifications, complete governance checks, and submit a comprehensive report detailing the path forward.
SAFA VAR Implementation Timeline
| Date | Milestone / Action Item |
| April 2026 | DSAC transfers R20 million to SAFA for the VAR implementation project. |
| May 9–10, 2026 | SAFA NEC approves VAR in principle; orders financial and governance due diligence. |
| May–July 2026 | Consultations held with the PSL Executive Committee via the Joint Liaison Committee (JLC). |
| 18 August 2026 | High-level meeting between SAFA and DSAC leadership. |
| Current Status | 21-day extension active to submit final procurement, budget, and audit reports. |
