SAFA to step-up VAR implementation

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has stepped up efforts for the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) programme.

SAFA has written a letter to FIFA, detailing the plans for the programme, including costs of VAR training, referees, technical staff and the equipment.

"We sent a letter to FIFA about our intention to implement the VAR process and the world football governing body has confirmed receipt of the letter and will most likely respond to our correspondence anytime from now. They will give us direction on the way forward," said Head of Referees, Abdul Ebrahim.

"We have been working hard to get this project off the ground. When I was appointed the SAFA Referees Committee chair, one of my main priorities was to introduce VAR and I am glad to say, soon this will be a reality," added chairman of the SAFA Referees Committee, Victor Gomes.

The PSL has lagged behind in terms of implementing VAR, with some of the top leagues on the continent such as in Egypt and Morocco, already using the system.

The argument against VAR in South Africa has been around the state of the stadiums, with SuperSport United for example, forced to relocate from Lucas Moripe Stadium due the stadium's failure to meet the minimum requirements required to host PSL matches.

ALSO READ | Why PSL banned Lucas Moripe Stadium

SAFA president Danny Jordaan has also made it no secret that there is a need for VAR in the PSL but infrastructure would have to be improved.

"We have to look at VAR, we have to train part of the referees to be operating VAR," Jordaan said at the World Football Summit in November last year.

"I think that it is a necessary and very important tool and we hope that when we come to the new season, we have it.

"We need an infrastructure first and the stadiums must also be there. We have to check that everything is in place. But it is imminent."

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