Usuthu boss calls for urgent VAR introduction

Smiso Msomi

AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu has called for the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the PSL.

The KwaZulu-Natal-based club has arguably been on the receiving end of some poor officiating over the past two seasons in the DStv Premiership. The most memorable decision to go against them was the sending off of Abubeker Mobara against Orlando Pirates last season, prompting the club to take up the matter with the PSL with no success.

The standard of South African refereeing has been under huge scrutiny in recent years and Zungu feels that the introduction of VAR in the league would limit inconsistencies in officiating.

He admitted that it would probably not solve all of the country’s issues but would surely improve them.

“VAR is long overdue in this country,” he said.

“It is not a silver bullet. Mistakes do happen, even after the review.

“We’re not sure that the England penalty against Holland was a legit one (in the recent Euro 2024 semi-final) and the VAR said it was … we’re still left wondering.

“But it’s better than the nonsense we witness when we rely purely on humans to decide the fate of many.”

“There’s nothing more disheartening than seeing a team give their best at training, only to come out losers undeservedly. It’s not fair.”

Safa’s head of referees, Abdul Ebrahim, has been leading the process of implementing the controversial system in the country. His last update on the process was in May, where he revealed that implementation was at an advanced stage but that various organisations and broadcasters involved were seeking to make sure the process was seamless.

Speaking at a media conference yesterday, Zungu said that most clubs were aching at the prospect of VAR being implemented and it is only due to formalities that it hasn’t yet been introduced.

“I’m told that everyone is thinking along the same line and it’s only a matter of time,” he said.

“Whatever it is, resources, training of referees, allocation of infrastructure to that effect or inadequacy of our stadia for the purposes of VAR, I don’t know but it’s the right way to go.”

South Africans have tasted a dose of the VAR system via the CAF Champions League, Afcon as well as Cosafa tournaments, with the majority hoping for its imminent arrival.