GOOD statement by Lulama Benge ,
GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor & GOOD National Leadership Council Representative Sports & Culture
07 March 2025
The GOOD Party believes, although well intentioned, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie’s plans to roll out a Video Assistant Referee system in the Premier Soccer League is premature.
Minister McKenzie took to X to once again confirm the department’s commitment to VAR saying “We will have VAR. VAR is coming and very soon.” However, we may have to wait for the Minister’s budget to see exactly how much the state is investing in the technology.
The implementation of VAR is expected to cost approximately R80 million, with additional fees per game, per season. It is ludicrous to even consider spending that amount of capital when our referees aren’t even full-time professionals. GOOD believes the money would be better invested in the human capital to build the sport. Referees should be made professionals with clear key performance indicators and be given official and frequent training. Until we properly invest in the human element of officiating, we cannot rely on cameras and technology to take the place of well-trained professionals.
Currently not all PSL games are televised, making the VAR system less effective as it relies on broadcast feeds for reviewing decisions. Without full television coverage we will not get the full benefits of VAR.
GOOD hopes the minister will apply his mind ahead of his department’s budget vote.
Media enquiries: media@forgood.org.za