Victor Gomes explains why VAR in South African football will take time

Gomes moved to temper expectations, explaining that the rollout of VAR in the Betway Premiership remains a complex and time-consuming process that extends far beyond financial investment.

His comments come after Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture had transferred the necessary funds to SAFA.

The government had previously ring-fenced R82 million for the implementation of the system, stepping in after sponsorship challenges delayed progress.

While the financial boost represents a major milestone, Gomes stressed that VAR cannot simply be "plugged in" and used immediately.

"People might not know, but we've been working at this since May 2023, so it's not something you walk into a retail store, pick off the shelf, and start using," Gomes said on 947 Radio MSW show.

He revealed that a dedicated technical team was appointed in August last year, adding: "We've had the VAR technical team appointed in August last year, it has come to life."

According to Gomes, the focus has now shifted to internal processes, which are critical in ensuring that the system operates effectively within South African football structures.

"I can confirm that SAFA have received funds from the sports ministry, and we're very grateful for that. We want to get the ball rolling, implementing certain things, for now we start with SAFA internal procedures; it looks good," he explained.

A key component of this phase is the extensive training required for referees, with Gomes emphasising the importance of the human element.

Despite growing calls from fans for a quicker rollout, SAFA is determined to stick to its original timeline.

For now, while the funding has unlocked progress, the path to VAR in South African football remains measured, with officials prioritising readiness over speed.