Safa Referees Committee chairman Victor Gomes has hinted video assistant referee(VAR) might be used in the Nedbank Cup final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns next month.
The two teams will clash once more in the last match of the 2023/24 Premier Soccer League(PSL) season. After a season that was highlighted by poor officiating, advanced technology might be called in. Many local football fans have called for VAR to be introduced in domestic football.
Former FIFA referee Victor Gomes said there was progress and VAR could be a reality very soon. Both Sundowns and Pirates have already played in a cup final this season. The MTN8 final, which was won by the Buccaneers, was marked with controversy with officials making controversial calls.
If VAR is implemented in the Nedbank Cup final, it would be a monumental moment in PSL history.
”We had a meeting recently and I know that it’s on the way now,” said Gomes as per SABC Sport.
“Now we are progressing very fast. Now we’re sitting for some budgetary cost in the next two weeks, and that’s how far we are.
”VAR is the future of football, it will help the PSL and any other league in the world. VAR is here to stay, excellent question – no we are not ready,” the former PSL referee added.
Safa hints VAR might be used in the Nedbank Cup final
“But it is a process, we are ready to start training. What we want to do, we don’t want to rush something and get it wrong. We want to bring it in and do it correctly so that everyone can trust it,” Gomes added.
Pirates and Sundowns meet in the Nedbank Cup final on 1 June 2024 at the Mbombela Stadium. Tickets for the mouth-watering clash have been sold out.