Cardoso Urges PSL To Introduce VAR Soon
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has called for the urgent introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in South African football, stressing that recurring match situations are increasingly affecting the integrity and fairness of the Premier Soccer League.
Sundowns were involved in a chaotic game against Golden Arrows, a Betway Premiership match they won 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday.
Cardoso highlighted two key incidents from the match where he felt VAR could have played a major role. Iqraam Rayners had a second goal ruled out for offside, while Golden Arrows were awarded a penalty in a build-up that Cardoso believes also involved an offside decision that went unnoticed.
Despite the controversy, the Brazilians secured all three points and remained second on the league table with 44 points, level with log leaders Orlando Pirates as the title race intensified.
Cardoso made it clear that his concerns were not directed at match officials personally, but at patterns he believes need attention within the game.
“Look, I’m not speaking about the referees’ decisions but about the situations,” Cardoso said.
“I’m not addressing the referees, but I’m addressing the situations, and we have been feeling that systematically and obviously the referees are human beings and they make mistakes.
“This is a movement in the game that should be addressed by the coaches, players, and referees.
“I’m not judging intentions, but I’m judging the situations that happens and in the end they all came against us.
“So, that is what I’m talking about on the table, and I think the referee on Wednesday would be very happy if he had VAR, which would help him with some decisions, especially about the third goal we scored and the penalty Arrows got because there was an offside before that.
“I would like to remember that last year from the same side on this pitch in the semifinal of the Nedbank Cup against Kaizer Chiefs, there were wrong decisions and we lost that game. I think the VAR in South Africa should be a reality as quickly as possible.”
Sundowns will now shift their focus to their next league assignment against Orbit College next Tuesday, where they will look to maintain their impressive form and continue their push for the Premiership crown.
