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.
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.
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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.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
