The Premier League is considering equipping referees with body cameras to help protect them after Arne Slot’s abusive remark towards Michael Oliver.

Football Association (FA) chief executive Mark Bullingham has been a strong supporter of body cameras in professional football, believing the technology could reduce fan behaviour and increase fan engagement on live broadcasts.

Body cameras have already been trialled at grassroots level to help reduce harassment of referees and Bullingham believes their introduction in the top flight of English football would make referees more transparent and more engaging on live broadcasts.

“In professional football, body cameras could be a valuable asset for broadcasters. It’s something that should be trialled and potentially accepted. There may be some noise at first but there may be noise later on,” Bullingham said of the impact

of grassroots cameras. “It’s been very positive. We see it as a way to give referees more confidence. We’ve seen a significant reduction in incidents in the leagues that have used body cameras.” Bullingham has

begun discussions with FIFA about whether body cameras could be introduced. At the highest level of football, with the hope being that a number of countries will join the trial. Which could lead to a real-world application.

“What we’re talking to FIFA about is for a number of countries to join the trial. “And potentially with the backing of FIFA,” Bullingham said.

“There are a number of options that are being looked at and we see this as a way of giving referees more confidence. I think it is a positive thing and it should be trialled.”

While the use of body cameras in real matches would be a big change, similar technology has already been trialled in a number of Premier League games and during pre-season.

At Crystal Palace’s Premier League game against Manchester United in 2024, Jared Gillett wore a head-mounted camera to film the refereeing. Although the footage was not broadcast live. It has since been compiled and featured in a refereeing education programme.

In the Summer Series pre-season tournament, โปรโมชั่นพิเศษจาก UFABET สมัครตอนนี้ รับโบนัสทันที referee Rob Jones tested the chest-mounted camera during Chelsea’s v Brighton game in Philadelphia.

In another pre-season game. Harry Wilson’s stunning goal was recorded. Demonstrating the potential for body cameras to add new perspectives to live football.

With increased support from other parties, body cameras could become an integral part of football in the future. Although concerns over privacy, the impact on refereeing. And the potential for broadcasting are still being raised.