Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has intensified calls for
the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in South African football,
arguing that the technology would not only reduce refereeing errors but also
force the PSL to stage matches at higher-quality venues.
The Portuguese tactician was speaking after his side’s 2-1 victory over
Golden Arrows at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday evening—a match marred by two
contentious decisions that went against the defending champions.
Sundowns had a goal disallowed in the second half and conceded a penalty
that Cardoso believes should never have been awarded due to an offside in
the buildup.
“I’m not speaking about the referees, I am speaking about the situation. I
am not addressing the referees, I am addressing the situations that are too
many,” Cardoso told media post-match.
“We’ve been feeling that systematically. Referees have emotions and probably
they understand they make mistakes and it also touches their emotions. This
is a movement in the game that should be addressed collectively from the
coaches, to the players, to the referees.”
Cardoso was careful not to personally criticize referee Siyabulela Qunta,
instead suggesting that VAR would have assisted the official in getting key
decisions right.
“I think the referee of today I am sure he will be very happy if he could
have VAR that could help him in the third goal that we scored, and he will
be very happy because he will arrive home and see that the penalty he gave
and see that there is an offside before.”
The Sundowns coach referenced a similar controversial moment from last
season to underline the recurring nature of such errors.
“I would like to remember last year from the same side on this pitch, we
have on the semi-final of the (Nedbank) Cup, we have a one meter offside
that was not given against Kaizer Chiefs that would allow us to still fight
until the end of the match to go to the final. It’s too many mistakes. I
think the VAR in South Africa should be a reality as quick as possible.”
Beyond improving officiating accuracy, Cardoso believes VAR implementation
would have a secondary benefit: raising stadium standards across the league.
“It can also regulate in which pitches matches are played because it seems
that in South Africa some championship matches are played in venues that are
not in the level of the championship and of the football that South Africa
wants to have.”
The former Rio Ave boss acknowledged that introducing the technology would
require time and education but stressed urgency.
“VAR is not for tomorrow, it’s for yesterday. VAR implementation is a
process that will take time because there is also a need to educate the VAR
referees. So as quick as it starts, the better. When VAR comes to South
Africa, there are other measures that should be put into consideration,
especially the venues.”
His comments add to the growing chorus of voices within South African
football calling for the adoption of video technology to bring the PSL in
line with major leagues around the world.
