Govt puts R90 million behind VAR implementation

702’s John Perlman speaks with Sowetan sports journalist Marc Strydom.

Listen below:

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has reportedly put significant financial backing behind the video assistant referee (VAR).

Minister Gayton McKenzie told Parliament the department has made the most concrete commitment to date, setting aside a whopping R90 million in its budget for VAR.

VAR technology is said to assist on-field referees and improve the integrity of domestic games.

RELATED: Should the PSL get a 'Video Assistant Referee' (VAR)?

“Refereeing is a contentious thing and so often, referees in South Africa are also semi-professional and there has been an effort to make it a bit more professional.”

– Marc Strydom, Journalist – Sowetan

“From what I’ve gathered over the years, I don’t think there has been a really big push from the PSL... it has always been an issue that it just costs too much.”

– Marc Strydom, Journalist – Sowetan

“We are lagging behind and I think Gayton McKenzie is trying to make a push.”

– Marc Strydom, Journalist – Sowetan

RELATED: SA referees still in high demand despite recent calls for VAR – retired FIFA referee

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.