OPEN LETTER | Minister McKenzie, please act now to stop poor refereeing and implement VAR

Dear Minister, Gayton McKenzie,

I hope this letter finds you well.

Let me start by saying that I am writing not only as a football scribe but also as a concerned and discerning supporter of the game, who is watching a leech - poor refereeing - slowly suck the life out of one of the brands that has become the pride of African football.

So, here we go!

As the main custodian of sport in this country - not just football - I am sure you have been following the Premier Soccer League (PSL) closely this season, especially since you took office. As such, you have not been immune to the league’s thrills, spills, and shortcomings.

When reports emerged last year that the PSL had a significant 9% increase in revenue, rising to R1.19 billion for the latest financial year, I am sure you took notice, as it was gratifying to most of us. The league’s growth speaks not only to the return it has generated but also to the livelihoods it has transformed for administrators, coaches, players, fans, vendors, journalists, and more. But surely you know that.

Let me remind you that when Covid-19 hit a few years ago, many people associated with the game lost their jobs - like in most sectors - resulting in poverty, something I am sure was one of the issues you aimed to address when you went to the polls.

Fast forward to roughly four years post-Covid, and a virus - poor refereeing - has emerged within the sport, growing and beginning to destroy livelihoods again. True to what you, and anyone might think, this problem was not born recently; it has simply gained momentum and, sadly, appears deadlier than ever. How we arrived at this point over the past two years is, frankly, appalling.

I remember, Minister, when you took office, many of us - including myself - had no clear idea what your plans for sport were. But then you began to share the right messages, promising changes and evolution, including the implementation of VAR in South African football, particularly for top-flight matches.

Alas, two years down the line, we are still waiting for that promise. Do not get me wrong - I am not criticising you for failing to deliver to date - but I am sure you will agree that it is long overdue.

I am not suggesting that you have done nothing about the situation that is eroding our football, but I am asking, please, sir, that you fulfill your recent promise and stop this deadly “virus” from spreading.

Late last year, your office sent a team led by former referee Daniel Bennet, along with senior journalists, to Spain on a mission to assess the operations and quality of VAR, in an effort to fast-track the introduction of the system in local top-flight football. According to reports, Bennet and the rest of the contingent were satisfied with their assessment and felt it would be beneficial to South African football. You reportedly took that feedback to the National Treasury, which allegedly approved an allocation of R20 million to support the rollout.

The stated aim "was to pilot the technology in the Nedbank Cup semi-final and final next year [as] South Africa already has several CAF- and FIFA-certified officials capable of supporting such a soft launch".

Again, let me remind you, the Ke Yona Cup semi-final and final are scheduled in a few weeks’ time. I - like most followers of the game and neutrals - am hoping that the pilot project will finally be launched, with your office having already organised meetings with the relevant stakeholders, the PSL, and South African Football Association (Safa)

It was embarrassing and disheartening when PSL chairman Irvin Khoza appeared before Parliament last year, asking to be excused from questions regarding VAR because of outstanding meetings with Safa and your department, Minister. Yet, since you took office, you promised that you were meeting regularly with all relevant stakeholders to fast-track VAR’s implementation.

Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi recently criticised the absence of VAR, saying it reduces a R20 million-per-season league to a measly R500,000 campaign. When such concerns are voiced by someone who has dedicated his life to the league, it should resonate deeply and urge leaders like yourself to step in and sustain its growth.

Once again, Minister, this letter is not intended as an attack. I am simply asking that you stand up and ensure that the promises your office made to the people of the Republic are fulfilled in the coming weeks.

Yours sincerely,

Mihlali Baleka