R20m VAR Project: Gayton McKenzie Takes Fresh Decision As SAFA Reveals Latest Developments
- Minister Gayton McKenzie stepped back from the VAR rollout after receiving a comprehensive report from Safa on 9 September 2026
- Safa president Danny Jordaan and CEO Lydia Monyepao attended a press conference with McKenzie to address the delayed implementation update
- Safa revealed a revised timeline for VAR trials, with a key Fifa meeting scheduled for 15 October to finalise details
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Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has formally stepped back from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) rollout, confirming he is satisfied that the R20 million allocated to the South African Football Association (Safa) remains accounted for and that the project is still moving forward.
McKenzie announced at a press conference attended by his deputy Peace Mabe, Safa president Danny Jordaan, and chief executive Lydia Monyepao.
**McKenzie Satisfied After Reviewing Bank Statements
The minister's withdrawal follows a tense period in which he gave Safa a 21-day deadline in August to submit a comprehensive progress update, after receiving no communication from the association since the funding was disbursed. Safa complied, submitting its report to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) on 9 September 2026.
"When Safa was quiet, I became worried," McKenzie said. "I then wrote them a letter and said I want the money back. The CEO then sent me the bank statements, and I saw them. I verified them. I saw that the money was there."
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Having confirmed the funds are intact, McKenzie said he has no further basis to remain involved. "Now, South Africans, there's nothing more I can do as your minister. I am handing over to the people who have the money and the expertise. I can't be part of the whole thing."
Safa Outlines Revised VAR Implementation Plan
Monyepao addressed the reasons behind the delayed rollout, explaining that the report submitted to DSAC covered governance reviews, technical readiness assessments, financial accountability measures, procurement considerations, broadcaster engagement, training programmes, and a revised implementation schedule.
She confirmed the department had accepted Safa's submission without demanding immediate repayment, instead allowing the project to continue under tightened governance controls and reporting conditions.
"Following consideration of Safa's submission, the department advised that it would not immediately insist on the repayment of the advanced funds and instead allowed the project to continue subject to strengthened governance controls, reporting requirements, and various implementation conditions," Monyepao said.
Safa indicated it is drawing on lessons from recent VAR deployments in the Cosafa region, including the Cosafa U20 men's championship, as it prepares for a meeting with Fifa on Thursday, 15 October, to finalise rollout details.
Monyepao confirmed that initial VAR trials will take place across Safa competitions, including the Hollywoodbets Super League, the ABC Motsepe playoffs, and, with PSL permission, the Nedbank Cup in 2027.
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Source: Briefly News
