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Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie has revealed that SAFA has been given 21 days to account for R13 million ($811,535.29) allocated towards the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in South African football.
McKenzie says he demanded the return of the money after becoming frustrated by the lack of progress in introducing the technology to the Premier Soccer League.
The minister has been heavily involved in efforts to bring VAR to the local game following growing calls for its introduction amid a series of high-profile refereeing controversies in the Betway Premiership.
Speaking to the media after the 19th South African Sport Awards at Sun City in North West on Sunday, McKenzie revealed that his department had formally written to SAFA over the matter.
He says the association responded by requesting a 21-day grace period to address the situation.
“What I did as a Minister, I did two things. I took journalists, administrators and I took the team down to Spain and the UK so that they can go and see. So that we can compare which one is the best for us,” McKenzie said (via iol.co.za).
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“I then took R13 million and I took it to SAFA and I can tell you now, that’s where I can’t do more as the Minister.”
The minister said his frustration had reached a point where he felt he had no option but to demand that the state’s money be returned.
“I wrote SAFA a letter where I said they should return my money and SAFA asked for 21 days grace,” he said.
“I am just as angry because what more can I do? I asked them in a letter to bring back my money, the money of the state because I am responsible for it. They said they will act within 21 days because there was no action.”
McKenzie insists he remains determined to see VAR introduced, even if that means seeking assistance beyond SAFA.
“We were supposed to have VAR. So people shouldn’t look at me. I am the Minister that put it on the table that VAR should be there. I did everything humanly possible,” he said.
