Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has given his opinion on how Video Assistant Referee (VAR) can help improve the local game, as he called for it to be implemented in local football.
There've been calls for VAR to be introduced in the local game due to a number of questionable decisions made by referees this season.
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Sundowns were denied a clear goal by Peter Shalulile against Golden Arrows, as he was ruled to be offside despite replays showing otherwise. It was one of the many decisions that have caused debates on different platforms this season.
"As you know, I don't really like to personalise whatever has to do with referees. I will never do it because I think in the end the coach has more to lose than to win when he personalises the question. You are the ones who should speak for your football. You are the ones who should defend your football. It's up to you to highlight what's good or bad that is being done. The level of the coaches is increased, the level of players is increased and also the level of referees should be increased, not only in South Africa but everywhere in the world," Cardoso said to media during a Nedbank Cup press conference ahead of their quarterfinal against Sekhukhune United this Saturday.
"It's very important that VAR could be put on in South Africa. It would help the referees because referees are also human beings and when they make a mistake it's normal that it can happen. When it's too many mistakes in one match, obviously it's not comfortable. What is important is to defend football. There must be a clear vision of development. For example, in Portugal, there is always a meeting before the match between the referees and the two parties where they discuss all the organisation of a match. When I was an assistant coach, I used to attend all those meetings. And there, there was talk about how people should relate, even the relation between the referees and the coaches who are on the bench."
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Cardoso is hoping the officiating will be on par as they look to edge themselves closer to success in the Nedbank Cup.
