McKenzie demands R20m return from SAFA over VAR delay

South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has demanded the return of R20 million in state funding from the South African Football Association (SAFA), citing the football governing body's failure to implement the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system despite receiving the money. The demand was made during a heated parliamentary committee hearing on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, where McKenzie accused SAFA of ignoring correspondence and leaving him politically exposed. The confrontation occurred before the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, where SAFA officials were questioned about the stalled VAR rollout and other administrative issues.