Menzi Magubane
Safa president Danny Jordaan reckons it is high time for the PSL to catch up to the big leagues around the world and introduce the video assistant referee (VAR) to local matches.
VAR technology was first introduced in African football by CAF two seasons ago, used in its continental competitions.
But to date no African domestic league has VAR in use and if the PSL goes with Jordaan’s urgent plea they would become the first to do so on the continent.
“We have introduced the VAR. We have to as a country,” said Jordaan.
The standard of officiating has been increasingly called into question over recent seasons and the introduction of the VAR technology has been raised by several club coaches.
DStv Premiership coaches have pleaded in public for PSL chairman Irvin Khoza to introduce it as poor officiating is costing them their jobs.
“Those are some of the major issues that we have discussed with PSL chair Irvin Khoza and we will continue discussing them,” said Jordaan.
“There are other issues and one being the commercialisation of South African football. The second is digitalisation, harmonisation and integration of technology in preparation of our national teams,” added Jordaan.
Last season Khoza mentioned the importance of having VAR in the premiership.
However, he said the problem was that it is expensive and the league will need more sponsors to help fund it.
The new season is expected to begin in August and if the VAR is to be introduced by then, time is running out for Jordaan and Khoza.
Without doubt, coaches and players will welcome this technology with open arms should Jordaan’s urgent plea become a success.
