The long-awaited introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
system in South African football is finally moving forward. Following a R82
million allocation from the Sports Ministry in September, a dedicated VAR
committee has been appointed and is actively assessing equipment suppliers.
Led by former referee Daniel Bennett and including SAFA Head of Referees
Abdul Ebrahim, the committee recently visited Spain to evaluate bids from
various companies and test the technology’s operations.
According to reports, the plan is to trial the new system during this
season’s Nedbank Cup semi-finals, with a full official rollout targeted for
the next campaign.
As the project gains momentum, former PSL referee Dr. Errol Sweeney has
issued a crucial warning, urging South Africa to learn from the high-profile
inconsistencies seen in the English Premier League (EPL). He emphasizes that
the key to success lies not in the technology itself, but in the people
operating it.
“Look, like anywhere in the world, you must remember what VAR stands for.
The important word there is ‘assistant’ or ‘assistance’. It’s an assistance
to the referee to help him arrive at the decision,” Sweeney told the Siya
crew.
He stressed that, according to Law 5 of the game, the on-field referee’s
decision remains final, even with VAR input.
“If it is introduced, well, great. But it has to have the right people, with
the right setups and the right mechanisms to help the referee arrive at the
decision,” Sweeney explained.
Highlighting the contrast between the problematic implementation in England
and the smoother operation in Scotland, he pinpointed the core issue.
“You see the problems they are having in England (EPL), they just cannot
seem to get it right… It’s all about the people who are going to operate
that system, to make sure that they are properly and fully-trained to be
able to get the maximum benefit from it,” the former official, known as ‘The
Hanging Judge’, concluded.
