Questionable decisions from match officials have forced Chippa United chairman Chippa Mpengesi to call for video assistant referee (VAR) to be introduced in South African football.
Mpengesi’s call followed after the Chilli Boys were ‘robbed’ twice in two Premiership matches against AmaZulu and Moroka Swallows.
“In recent matches, outcomes for Chippa United FC have spotlighted the pressing concerns within the officiating system under SAFA’s stewardship. In our matches against AmaZulu FC and Moroka Swallows FC, two goals were disallowed which led the club to missing out on four pivotal points due to decisions by assistant referees. Their role is pivotal to upholding the game’s fairness, and recent misjudgments underline a stark need for enhancement,” Mpengesi said.
“As Chippa United FC, we are not asking for favours. Losing is part of the game and, usually, the most prepared team wins. However, even the best-prepared teams can be affected by unexpected decisions from match officials. I do not speak just on behalf of Chippa United FC, but every club from grassroots football to the Premiership has its own experience and unique story.”
In making the call, the Chilli Boys boss fully understands the financial implications of introducing VAR in SA football.
“Yes, the adoption of VAR requires a substantial investment from the PSL, but the repercussions of not having it both in terms of credibility and the overall quality of our game could be even more costly. VAR allows transparency and everyone’s involvement. It safeguards and takes away the burden from match officials on making uncertain decisions,” he said.
“While sports analysts dissect the decisions of match officials on TV, their insights, though valued, cannot undo the points lost or rectify the damage incurred by these decisions. Some clubs refer to various forms of spiritual intervention in the hopes of ensuring match officials uphold fairness and justice.”
Mpengesi added that he understands that match officials are humans and are prone to making mistakes.
“They are human beings and I firmly believe that with the right assistance, they can elevate their performance. In the short term, my plea to SAFA is clear – elevate the skills and tools available to its assistant referees and fourth officials. The broader adoption of technological aids, like VAR, should involve a collective effort from all domestic football stakeholders,” Mpengesi concluded.
“Let’s aspire to make our domestic league emblematic of fairness, integrity, and top-tier football. With such an investment in the standard of football, I truly believe our national team, Bafana Bafana, will one day win the FIFA World Cup.”
