‘RefCam’ hits the Premier League: how will it work? What games will it be used in?

A Monday night game in the English Premier League between two teams with not too much to play for may not have neutral fans that excited. But what about it you throw in the trial of a new technology aimed at helping us get more insight from the referee’s perspective. Now that may be worth tuning in for.

Will RefCam be broadcast live?

The game in question kicks off at 3 p.m. ET / 12 noon PT and is between Crystal Palace and Manchester United. The Red Devils, currently eighth in the table, travel to London knowing that dreams of playing in the Champions League next season are gone, and they now vie with Chelsea, Newcastle and Spurs to sort out the other European places. In 14th The Eagles are safe from relegation, and looking to climb as far up the standings as possible.

So to the tech, and for the first time in the English football league, a referee will be equipped with a video camera. Jarred Gillett is the man with the whistle at Selhurst Park and is all set to utilise a head-mounted device known as a ‘RefCam’ during the game, although, sorry to tell you, the footage captured will not be broadcast live.

The introduction of the RefCam could, however, mark a significant stride in the league’s efforts to provide fans with deeper understanding and appreciation of the intricate workings of match officiation. While the footage from Gillett’s device won’t be immediately available to viewers, it will serve as a pivotal component of a forthcoming program aimed at offering comprehensive insights into the demands and challenges faced by referees at the highest level of football. As it stands, it will not be used in the short term for any other games, with the FA statement reading:

“Its one-off use for educational purposes has been approved by The IFAB, the Premier League, PGMOL and both clubs. We would like to thank Crystal Palace and Manchester United for their support with this project.”

Where else has RefCam been used?

This initiative follows in the footsteps of similar endeavours in other football leagues worldwide. In February, Bundesliga referee Daniel Schlager donned a camera and microphone during a thrilling 2-2 draw between Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg. The resulting footage was integrated into a program titled ‘Referees Mic’d up - Bundesliga,’ providing viewers with unprecedented access to on-field communications and decision-making processes. Check this out.

Closer links to the Premier League, although played in the United States, a 2023 Summer Series match between Chelsea and Brighton in Philadelphia saw referee Rob Jones sport a camera.

Why is RefCam being trialled?

The league’s commitment to enhancing transparency and understanding within the realm of officiating is further exemplified by its collaboration with the Football Association (FA) in the trial of body-worn cameras in adult grassroots football. The FA’s deployment of body cameras in grassroots leagues, initially trialed in four counties in England last year, then increased to eight, aims to address the escalating issue of verbal and physical abuse directed towards match officials.

According to the FA’s Annual Grassroots Disciplinary Review, there were 1,451 allegations of serious offenses in 2021-22, representing a 1% uptick from the previous campaign. Among these allegations, 72 cases of actual or attempted assault were reported in 2022-23, prompting 53 charges and 42 proven cases. Such statistics shed light on the pressing need for measures to safeguard the well-being and integrity of referees at all levels of the game. Whether or not a video attached to an official helps with this, we will have to withhold judgement for now.