27 June 2023 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) has moved closer to the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) programme and has written a letter to the world football governing body FIFA, spelling out the Association’s plans.
In the letter to FIFA, SAFA has provided the itemised costs of the programme including those of VAR training, referees, technical staff and the equipment.
‘’We sent a letter to FIFA about our intention to implement the VAR process and the world football governing body has confirmed receipt of the letter and will most likely respond to our correspondence anytime from now. They will give us direction on the way forward,’’ said head of referees, Abdul Ebrahim.
Chairman of the SAFA Referees Committee and respected former referee, Victor Gomes, said the letter to FIFA was to seek advice and inform them that the Association was ready to proceed to the next stage of the project of introducing VAR in the country.
‘’We have been working hard to get this project off the ground. When I was appointed the SAFA Referees Committee chair, one of my main priorities was to introduce VAR and I am glad to say, soon this will be a reality,’’ said Gomes.