Premier League Plans Body Camera Trial for Referees
The Premier League is set to trial referee body cameras during the final matches of its Summer Series event in the United States on Sunday.
FIFA, the world governing body, previously approved the use of these cameras, which are attached to the referee along with a microphone, at the recent Club World Cup. Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of refereeing, remarked that the results had "exceeded expectations," producing compelling footage.
On Wednesday, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) confirmed that the trial can now be extended to competitions involving professional teams outside FIFA tournaments. This development opens the possibility for the Premier League to implement the technology for Sunday's matches in Atlanta, where Thomas Bramall will officiate Manchester United's game against Everton.
If two-thirds of the clubs agree, the body cameras could be introduced in the upcoming Premier League season, though the frequency of their use remains uncertain.
In May 2024, Jarred Gillett became the first referee to wear a body camera during a Premier League match, capturing Crystal Palace's 4-0 victory over Manchester United. This was a "one-off" event aimed at producing footage for a program promoting match officials.
During the Club World Cup, the technology demonstrated its value by capturing an incident where a handball by an Atletico Madrid defender against Paris Saint-Germain went unnoticed by the referee due to an obstructed view. The video assistant referee (VAR) was able to alert the on-field official to the incident.