Gayton McKenzie Sets Date for Crucial VAR Announcement After SAFA Delay
- Gayton McKenzie has confirmed when he will address the long-running VAR delay, with South African football supporters waiting to hear what comes next
- The announcement comes after the South African Football Association's 21-day grace period expired, leaving questions about when the technology could be introduced
- With the PSL season already under way, Wednesday's update could provide fresh clarity on the next steps towards bringing VAR to South African football
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South African football could finally receive clarity on the long-running Video Assistant Referee (VAR) issue this week, with Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie confirming that an announcement is scheduled for Wednesday, 14 October 2026.
The update comes after months of uncertainty over introducing the technology to domestic football. The Premier Soccer League (PSL) season is already under way, but supporters are still waiting for clarity on when VAR will be implemented.
McKenzie confirmed the planned announcement in a post on X after the MTN8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
“We (are) making an announcement on Wednesday,” McKenzie said.
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VAR implementation and SAFA's delayed response
McKenzie has previously voiced frustration with the South African Football Association (SAFA) over the delay in introducing the technology.
During the previous football season, the minister said funding had been provided to speed up the process. However, football authorities reportedly maintained that there was insufficient time to implement the system then, with the current campaign suggested as a possible target.
SAFA subsequently requested a 21-day grace period, but that window has now elapsed without the anticipated public update.
What Wednesday's announcement could mean
The announcement is expected to address the stalled VAR process, although the precise details have not yet been disclosed.
It remains unclear whether McKenzie will confirm an implementation date, outline outstanding requirements, or provide another progress update.
For PSL clubs, players, and supporters, the announcement could provide important context on the next steps. Until the minister provides further details, however, the timing and practical arrangements for introducing VAR remain unconfirmed.
SAFA's R20 million VAR funding delay
Briefly News previously reported that SAFA had received R20 million in government funding for VAR but admitted that South African football was not ready to introduce the technology for the 2026/27 season.
The association cited outstanding training and internal approvals as obstacles, raising questions about whether Gayton McKenzie's latest announcement will finally provide clarity on when VAR could arrive in the PSL.
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Source: Briefly News
