SAFA Offers Update on VAR Implementation in South Africa

SAFA President, Danny Jordaan, has provided an update on the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in South African soccer. VAR is already being used in various CAF competitions, although leagues in Africa are yet to make use of the technology.

Jordaan revealed he met with former referee Pierluigi Collina about the idea of bringing him to South Africa to help set up the technology. He stated, “I have met a lot of influential football people globally lately and when I was in Paris (France) last week, I met among other people, Collina and Arsene Wenger who we want to tap into their expertise as we move towards revamping and taking our game to the next level. We want Wenger to help with boosting and revamping the development structures and Collina to help set up the long-awaited VAR process. These are exciting times for South African football as we are also bidding for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

SAFA have revealed that Victor Gomes, Zakhele Siwela, Akhona Makalima and Abongile Tom are the only VAR-trained referees in South Africa. Dr Jordaan added, “We are vigorously moving forward as part of our Vision 2030 and we have lined up extensive and various programmes to shape our goals. In the coming weeks, we will be calling upon all our Regions, LFAs and structures to workshop them on what FIFA directed all MAs to do.”