Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie says he has requested a full R30 million refund from the South African Football Association (SAFA), funds previously allocated for the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
Speaking at the 19th edition of the SA Sports Awards in Sun City on Sunday, the outspoken minister said SAFA responded by requesting a 21-day grace period.
McKenzie explained that he allocated the R30 million to SAFA prior to the season because, as the country’s governing body for football, it oversees refereeing affairs. However, because SAFA failed to utilize the funds, he demanded the money back.
Apologizing to the public, McKenzie expressed frustration, stating there was little else he could do within his ministerial bounds.
“Let me tell you what is happening with VAR. FIFA rules state clearly that it has to happen through the South African Football Association,” said McKenzie.
“What I did as a minister, I did two things: I took journalists, administrators and the team down to Spain and the UK so that they could compare which one is the best route for us.
“I then took R30 million and gave it to SAFA. I can tell you now, that’s where it is. I can’t do more as a minister. I wrote SAFA a letter where I said they should return my money.
“And SAFA has asked for 21 days of grace. I’m just as angry because what more can I do?
“I have asked them in a letter to bring the money and the money for VAR, because I’m responsible for it. They said they will act in 21 days. For me, there was no action [by SAFA regarding the money]. You are supposed to have VAR.
“So, people shouldn’t look at me. I’m the person who put on the table that VAR should be there. I did everything humanly possible.
“Now, I’m writing to FIFA. I have already spoken to FIFA, but they want to write that I must go another way to get VAR, and I’m going to do that.
“There shall be VAR in the PSL, and I want to apologise to the people because I have been let down terribly. Because what can I say? I have done everything. For me to write a letter to that extent, you must know how I feel.”
McKenzie went on to claim that internal corruption at SAFA is the primary obstacle, adding that SAFA President Danny Jordaan is not the main issue.
“There is one problem that I have picked up: all problems at SAFA get blamed on Danny Jordaan. There are people within SAFA who take advantage of the fact that people are going to blame Danny,” said McKenzie.
“And Danny allows that. There are some gatekeepers there at SAFA, corrupt to the core, who don’t want VAR to be implemented. Because how do you explain your minister putting the money forward and VAR is not coming?
“And I’m telling you, when I went to SAFA, there are two officials. I’m getting their names on Monday and I’m going to name them. They are blocking VAR.
“They are corrupt to the core. What is stopping VAR? What more can I do? I have sent them with the money of the state to go and look at different options.
“They came back; I followed the process. I asked the Treasury, ‘Can I give this money?’ and the Treasury gave me the go-ahead. The trouble I went through, but now it is not happening.
“But I can tell you now, it is not Danny Jordaan. It is officials there, and I’m not going to allow that.
“I’m going to give SAFA the 21 days [to return my money], and you must watch what is going to happen after 21 days.”
Since the PSL season began, several tackles have left players injured, with some incidents going unpunished.
The minister continued: “There will be VAR in the PSL. You ask yourself why this thing is not wanting VAR? Players are getting injured; you saw the tackles from different teams.
“How they tackle the players, those are career-ending tackles.
“You saw referees and you saw the game, and you say, ‘Ha.’ I have been blamed and I have not said anything until on Sunday. This is breaking news.”
