FA chief Mark Bullingham wants Prem refs to wear BODY CAMERAS — with footage shown live on TV.
Bodycams are used at grassroots level to protect referees from abuse.
FA chief Mark Bullingham wants to add body cameras to referees[/caption]
The footage would be shown live on TV[/caption]
Bullingham feels the cameras will help cut out bad behaviour from managers and players[/caption]
Chief exec Bullingham feels pro officials wearing cameras could be hugely popular with fans — while helping cut out managers and players’ bad behaviour.
Prem whistler Jarred Gillett trialled a head-mounted RefCam in last season’s Crystal Palace-Manchester United clash.
It was a Premier League first but the footage was not broadcast live.
While official Rob Jones also wore a chest camera in Chelsea’s 4-3 pre-season win over Brighton in the US back in July 2023.
Bullingham said: “In the pro game, bodycams are more about if they will be good for the broadcaster.
“It is something which should be trialled — and potentially allowed.
“Initially, it might be trialled without audio and then with audio.”
Only this week, the FA gave its written reasons for handing Liverpool boss Arne Slot a two-game ban for abusing Michael Oliver following the Merseyside derby against Everton.
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Slot got a red card for confronting Oliver and a linesman in the aftermath of last month’s 2-2 draw.
The three-person panel explained: “It was alleged Slot initially used abusive words whilst shaking the referee’s hand.
“Including that the ref had ‘f***ing given them everything’ and that he hoped the ref ‘was proud of that performance’.”
The panel also claimed that Slot said, “If we don’t win the league, I’ll f***ing blame you.”
And Bullingham revealed abuse towards referees at grassroots level has fallen thanks to bodycams.
He said: “They have had a really positive impact.
“What we’re speaking with Fifa about is whether we can get more countries to adopt a trial and even get Fifa behind it.
“We see that as a good way of referees being more confident.
“We have seen a huge decrease in the number of issues in the leagues where there’s bodycams.”
