Soccer-Premier League referee to wear camera for first time in Palace v Man United clash

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – Premier League – Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City – The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain – April 25, 2024 Referee Jarred Gillett Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

(Reuters) – Referee Jarred Gillett will wear a camera for the first time in Premier League history during Monday’s fixture between Crystal Palace and Manchester United as part of filming for a one-off programme promoting match officials, the league said on Monday.

Last year, the Football Association announced it will trial body cameras on referees in grassroots leagues in England in a bid to ascertain whether the technology could help “improve participant behaviour and respect towards referees”.

The Bundesliga also used the ‘RefCam’ for the first time during a 2-2 draw between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg in February.

“Fans will be able to view it later in the year as part of a programme being produced by Premier League Productions aimed at offering further insight and education into the demands of officiating in the Premier League,” the league said in a statement.

“The technology comprises a head-mounted device which is integrated into the usual referee communications system.

“Its one-off use for educational purposes has been approved by the IFAB (International Football Association Board), the Premier League, PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) and both clubs. We would like to thank Crystal Palace and Manchester United for their support with this project.”

(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)