Update on VAR Implementation Project – South African Football Association

17 November 2025 – The South African Football Association’s (SAFA) Referees Department, in conjunction
with the VAR Project Team, has noted the recent keen public interest and discussions regarding the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in South African football.

The Department wishes to provide the following clarity:

• Project Status:
  The VAR project is a complex, high-priority initiative and is currently in its infancy stages of technical assessment, planning, and stakeholder alignment.
• Official Communication Channel:
  A dedicated VAR Project Team is in place, tasked with managing the entire implementation process, which includes procurement, infrastructure development, and training. This Project team is the sole, authorised body by SAFA, to provide official updates on the project’s progress.
• Timing of Official Updates:
  The VAR Project Team has not yet held formal briefings with the media to provide comprehensive updates. All official project developments, milestones, and necessary announcements will be communicated by the Project Team in due course through the official SAFA Media Channels and planned media engagements.
  To ensure that everyone receives the most accurate and reliable updates, we ask the general public and stakeholders to kindly rely on official statements issued directly by SAFA.

South African Football: Banyana Banyana is the women’s national team, with clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies leading the way in the women’s league.