The implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in South African football has been delayed due to a lack of training for officials according to SAFA CEO, Tebogo Motlanthe. Motlanthe revealed that the lack of training for officials has been the primary factor in the delay of the technology’s implementation in the country.
“We have spoken to CAF. There was a delegation of CAF, which was here to inspect stadiums. But our discussions with both CAF and FIFA, first, before you even think about implementation, it’s training,” said Motlanthe.
He went on to explain that the training of officials was the first step in the process of VAR being implemented and that Victor Hlungwane would be taking it over with FIFA and CAF to ensure that the process is done properly.
“So, first is to deal with the question of training, and from there the roll-out plan. Because he [Victor Hlungwane] will then be taking it over with FIFA and CAF to say how best can we train, who, when and how do we train? About the friendly where it was going to be tested. The first question was: was who was going to oversee that because we don’t have trained people. It was just a premature thing,” Motlanthe concluded.
With the implementation of VAR technology being delayed, South African football fans will have to continue to bear with the questionable decisions in the DStv Premiership for the time being.
