Introduction of VAR Technology in SA Would Be Costly, Declares PSL Boss Irvin Khoza

• Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Irvin Khoza has responded to mounting calls to introduce Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) to South Africa
• The Orlando Pirates Football Club owner said the endeavour is viable but would come at a huge financial cost
• Khoza agreed VAR would address some of the heated debates arising from officiating in South African football

Chairperson of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Irvin Khoza conceded that introducing Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) technology to South African football is viable.

Khoza's concession was not without the clear understanding that this might come at an explosive cost, according to a report by News24.

The Orlando Pirates Football Club owner was replying to mounting calls to introduce the system after the MTN8 matches this past weekend.

Officiating controversies unabating

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Among the decisions sparking the outcry, Kaizer Chiefs net-minder Itumeleng Khune needed two opportunities to save Lyle Lakay's penalty kicks in his side's knock-out competition tie against Sundowns.

Although video replays clearly showed the ball crossing the line, the goal was shockingly not awarded.

Khune's opposite number, Kennedy Mweene, made four saves to win the encounter but was thought to have come off his line early for three of their kicks.

Kick Off reported that Khoza agreed VAR would address some of the heated debates arising from officiating in South African football.

VAR comes with some disadvantages

The chairman, however, pointed out that it's not without its negatives, namely, complaints about the off-side rulings becoming common-place as seen in Europe.

"There are [already] other elements of the VAR system. These are the video assistant referee, virtual off-side line and goal-line technology," pronounced Khoza.

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"Now is the matter of phasing it, which comes first. Are there issues with goal-line problems we need to address first, or is it off-sides?

"But, like I said last time, it's a question of doing an audit of the infrastructure [and] whether VAR is going to be centrally controlled or decentralised. There's a cost factor that goes with it which must be considered."

Khoza feeling sorry for Bloemfontein Celtic after big sale

Recently, Briefly News reported that Khoza stated that not a single Free State businessman had expressed interest in purchasing Bloemfontein Celtic and as a result, the team will be relocating to KwaZulu-Natal.

He announced Celtic's sale and revealed that the team will be renamed Royal AM just days before the new DStv Premiership season begins.

Royal AM bought Celtic's PSL status and relocated the club from the Free State to KwaZulu-Natal, while Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in Venda, Limpopo, received Royal AM's GladAfrica Championship status, according to SowetanLIVE.

Source: Briefly News