Danny Jordan's re-election as president of SAFA for a fourth consecutive term has drawn significant attention. However, this veteran has an opportunity to turn critics into supporters by implementing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system before the end of his term.
Despite disagreements over the real necessity and effectiveness of this system in football, given the terrible officiating displayed in the PSL over many years, the introduction of VAR appears necessary for the game.
The multi-billion Rand PSL product has been criticized for poor refereeing, which has damaged the league's image, led to lost points and trophies for teams, and threatened the jobs of coaches and players. Furthermore, referees sometimes face threats to their livelihoods.
South African officials have participated in major tournaments, including the men's FIFA World Cup, where Abongile Thom and linesman Zakhale Sivela took part in recent final matches in North America. Nevertheless, there is potential to improve these statistics.
SAFA intervenes in this situation, tasked with ensuring the implementation of this system and providing services at most football matches in the country. This initiative has received support from DSAC in the form of R20 million in funding.
According to SAFA CEO Lidiya Mongiepao, this amount is intended exclusively for procurement purposes, i.e., for purchasing equipment. The second phase of the three-year plan involves training referees on using the system—an initiative that SAFA claims it is already implementing independently with Cosafa, which is a promising step.
However, while the CEO and her office demonstrate positive results, the responsibility lies with Jordan to ensure the plans are realized. It is unacceptable for years to pass in discussions without any action plan.
Of course, ensuring the entire process requires financial resources, and SAFA states that the received grants are used for specific purposes. But since CAF has increased its annual grants from R8.5 million to R11.5 million, and FIFA plans to increase its quarterly grant from $10 million (approximately R168.8 million) to $25 million (approximately R412 million), SAFA may have sufficient funds.
Undoubtedly, gaps will arise that SAFA will want to address. Nevertheless, they are obliged to use the funds properly and specifically for the development of football, which includes improving officiating and game control.
This will not only raise the profile of the PSL as one of the well-developed leagues in the world but also allow the South African product to be presented to the world, as the country will participate in all sports tenders supported by the development of sports infrastructure in general.
The concept of VAR is not yet accepted by everyone, but this should not be a reason for South Africa not to install it in the near future, especially considering that the relevant stakeholders, particularly SAFA and its special PSL member, know that VAR has become an integral part of modern football.
Jordan could advance his cause and make up for lost time by ensuring the installation of VAR, possibly during his last term in office, thereby leaving South African football in a better state. Failure to do so will only attract more attention to reports of misuse of funds during his tenure.
