Speaking after the SA Sports Awards at Sun City over the weekend, McKenzie said SAFA had failed to deliver on the VAR project despite receiving funding from government.

McKenzie warned that the matter could be escalated to FIFA if the funds are not returned. “I wrote SAFA a letter requesting them to return my money; they then asked for 21 days’ grace. I am angry because what else can I do?” McKenzie said.

McKenzie said the government had done everything required to support the implementation of VAR, including sending journalists, football administrators and members of the VAR research team to Spain and the United Kingdom (UK) to assess different systems.

“FIFA’s rules state clearly that VAR must be implemented through SAFA. I took journalists, administrators and the VAR research team to Spain and the UK for them to compare which option is the best one for us. I then allocated approximately $730 000 to SAFA. I can’t do more as the minister,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie also alleged that individuals within SAFA are obstructing the rollout of VAR and accused some officials of corruption. “All the problems at SAFA are blamed on Danny Jordaan, but there are people within that organisation that are gatekeepers and are corrupt, and they simply don’t want VAR to happen,” McKenzie said.

“What is stopping this thing? What is stopping VAR?”

McKenzie defended SAFA President Danny Jordaan, suggesting the delays cannot be attributed solely to Jordaan. “I can tell you now it’s not Danny Jordaan, it’s other individuals there that are blocking this thing and I will name them soon enough,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie also dismissed suggestions that approaching FIFA over the matter would amount to political interference in football administration.

McKenzie said recovering the funds remains the priority and indicated a willingness to face any consequences arising from taking the dispute to world football’s governing body.

–F1/ChannelAfrica–