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Safa says VAR will also be rolled out in women’s top flight

Dailydispatch · · 367 words · By Anathi Wulushe
VAR Implementation Safa Leadership Government Funding
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What to know about VAR Implementation

Safa’s finance committee chair, Mxolisi Sibam, says once VAR has been implemented, the technology will operate in the women’s top flight, the Hollywoodbets Super League, and not just the PSL.

Claims checked 10
Techniques found 2
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Right coverage
Left20%
Center80%
Right0%

5 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Safa’s finance committee chair, Mxolisi Sibam, says once VAR has been implemented, the technology will operate in the women’s top flight, the Hollywoodbets Super League, and not just the PSL.

Why it matters

Sibam, who doubles up as the Buffalo City region president, disclosed this while he was verifying if Safa had received funding from sports minister Gayton McKenzie’s office intended for VAR.

Common ground

McKenzie had said the ball was in Safa’s court to roll out the technology that is expected to assist match officiation amid referee decision complaints.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Glittering Generalities: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/sport/2026-05-11-safa-says-var-will-also-be-roll…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 60% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Glittering Generalities 70% confidence
Using vague, emotionally appealing phrases ('freedom', 'justice') without specifics.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing glittering generalities helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 10 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 5
check_circle Corroborated 3
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info
Claim 1: “Sibam, who doubles up as the Buffalo City region president”
SINGLE SOURCE
One web search result explicitly mentions Sibam 'doubles up as the Buffalo City region president', but other results do not confirm this specific title.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — American Eagle Car Sticker with Flag, Patriotic USA Decal, Eagle with American Flag Vinyl Sticker for Cars, Trucks, Laptops, and More. USA Pride and Freedom Inspired Design, Durable, Weatherproof.
https://www.amazon.com/patriotic-decals-trucks/s?k=patriotic…
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web search NEUTRAL — The entire line of Patriotic and Patriotism Images from Aurora Graphics for an American Swag you can’t find anywhere else. Flags, Bald Eagles, Rips and Tears, Torn Flags and waving flags. All at a ver…
https://www.auroragraphics.net/product-category/patriotic/
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web search NEUTRAL — Whether it’s for your car, truck, or boat, we offer a large collection of American flag decals and wraps, including American wave wraps, USA flag side decal kits, and of course, the American flags wit…
https://xtremedigitalgraphix.com/collections/american-flag-d…
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Claim 2: “Safa’s finance committee chair, Mxolisi Sibam, says once VAR has been implemented, the technology will operate in the women’s top flight, the Hollywoodbets Super League, and not just the PSL.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent web search results confirm that Mxolisi Sibam stated VAR will be implemented in both the PSL and the Hollywoodbets Super League (HSL).
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — We also have the Hollywoodbets Super League (HSL), which will benefit. “Our target end-users are two — the PSL and HSL — as well as all our national competitions. I can confirm that we have received t…
https://www.theherald.co.za/sport/2026-05-11-safa-says-var-w…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Safa have confirmed receipt of R20 million in government funding to implement VAR, with the technology expected to be operational by the start of next season.We also have the Hollywoodbets Super Leagu…
https://thestar.co.za/sport/soccer/bafana/2026-05-10-safa-co…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — sign up to Hollywoodbets through our invite link to redeem the offer.
https://www.hollywoodbets.co.uk/
info
Claim 3: “The work started seven months ago.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided web search results for this claim discuss VAR in Ghana or the Champions League, but do not mention when the work for South Africa's VAR implementation began.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrCkmC8rohA
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — "When that is done, FIFA and CAF will give us all the necessary support that we need to actualize the project. Though we are going to bring VAR, we need to work on our referees because VAR is an aide …
https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/process-for-the-implementa…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Home. Premier League. Process for implementation of VAR begins."VAR is coming to Ghana, but there are a lot of work that we need to do to ensure that VAR comes to this country., GFA Referees Manager, …
https://www.ghanafa.org/process-for-implementation-of-var-be…
info
Claim 4: “the people who will be in charge of it indicated they are targeting the start of next season for VAR to be operational.”
SINGLE SOURCE
One source mentions the technology is expected to be operational by the start of next season (2026/27). Other search results for 'Target' were irrelevant retail results.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Shop Target online and in-store for everything from groceries and essentials to clothing and electronics. Choose contactless pickup or delivery today.
https://www.target.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Plan, shop and save with the Target App, now with Target Circle.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/dev?id=790667156396096582…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Established in 1902. Visit your Target in Gig Harbor, WA for all your shopping needs including clothes, lawn & patio, baby gear, electronics, groceries, toys, games, shoes, sporting goods and more. We…
https://www.yelp.com/biz/target-gig-harbor
info
Claim 5: “it is in a separate bank account that doesn’t include other transactions of Safa.”
SINGLE SOURCE
One source specifically quotes Sibam stating the money is in a 'separate bank account that doesn’t include other transactions of Safa'.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Safa has confirmed the receipt of R20 million from the Department of Sport to finally bring VAR to South Africa. Photo: Backpagepix.The money is in the bank,” Sibam said. “I also want to state that it…
https://thestar.co.za/sport/soccer/bafana/2026-05-10-safa-co…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Ball is in SAFA’s Court. While the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) led the procurement and funding phases, the Minister emphasised that the execution now rests solely with SAFA and …
https://www.panafricafootball.com/post/var-funding-has-been-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The funding is part of a comprehensive, three-year plan to bring VAR into South African football. Key details include: The Initial Tranche: R20 million has been allocated to SAFA to kickstart the impl…
https://www.oursoccerupdates.co.za/i-have-the-proof-gayton-m…
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Claim 6: “I can confirm that we have received the funding from the minister. The money is in the bank.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources quote Sibam confirming that funding from the minister has been received and is 'in the bank'.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sibam said Safa will work closely with the PSL to establish VAR. “There will be contact with the PSL because they will be the end user, but it is not only them who will be the end user. We also have t…
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2026-05-11-safa-has…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A few months ago, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie announced that his office would assist Safa in rolling out VAR to help curb refereeing controversies that have cost teams silverware, status and point…
https://thestar.co.za/sport/soccer/bafana/2026-05-10-safa-co…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sibam, who doubles up as the Buffalo City region president, disclosed this while he was verifying if Safa had received funding from sports minister Gayton McKenzie’s office intended for VAR.
https://www.theherald.co.za/sport/2026-05-11-safa-says-var-w…
help
Claim 7: “Already, there are four associations on the continent that have VAR.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided to confirm or deny the number of African associations currently using VAR.
info
Claim 8: “during the recent NEC meeting (this past weekend in Johannesburg) there was a budget approval process so the mother body could continue rolling out of the technology.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While one source mentions an NEC meeting in Sandton (Johannesburg area) on June 28, 2025, the specific link between that meeting's budget approval process and the VAR rollout is not corroborated by multiple independent sources in the provided evidence.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Safa have confirmed receipt of R20 million in government funding to implement VAR, with the technology expected to be operational by the start of next season.
https://capeargus.co.za/sport/soccer/bafana/2026-05-10-safa-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The South African Football Association has confirmed the amount remitted for the introduction of VAR ahead of the 2026/27 Premier Soccer League season.
https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/safa-confirm-huge-amoun…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 28 June 2025 - Members of the South African Football Association's (SAFA) National Executive Committee (NEC) met in Sandton on Friday to conclude the Ordinary NEC Meeting that was adjourned at SAFA Ho…
https://www.safa.net/general-news/safa-nec-concludes-ordinar…
help
Claim 9: “Those include former referees Victor Gomes and Daniel Bennett.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the search results regarding Victor Gomes or Daniel Bennett's roles in the implementation.
check_circle
Claim 10: “Sibam said they were given R20m to implement VAR”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm that Safa received R20 million from the government/Sports Ministry for VAR implementation.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Safa confirm R20m VAR funding: Rollout set for 2026/27 season. Yesterday. By Mihlali Baleka. Save for later.Safa ‘has received funding’ from government to implement VAR.
https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZj…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sibam further confirmed that SAFA has received R20 million from the Sports Ministry to fund this VAR implementation.They have funded… they have given us R20 million to implement VAR,” said Sibam as pe…
https://www.msn.com/en-za/sports/football/safa-confirms-plan…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A few days later, Safa issued a tender for service providers to bid for the supply of VAR equipment, preparation of VAR training programmes, and training of video and match officials. McKenzie noted t…
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/broadcasting/597308-r90-milli…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.