In a Premier League first, referee Jarred Gillett wore a “RefCam” during yesterday evening’s Crystal Palace v Manchester United fixture (Monday 6 May).
The footage captured by the ear-mounted device was not broadcast live. Instead, viewers will be able to watch it later this year as part of a programme produced by Premier League Productions (PLP) aimed at offering further insight and education into the demands of officiating in the Premier League.
The technology comprises a head-mounted device which is integrated into the usual referee communications system.
Its one-off use for “educational purposes” was approved by the IFAB, the Premier League, PGMOL and both clubs.
It follows the use of a referee-mounted camera during a German Bundesliga fixture for the first time back in February, when the official in charge of the tie between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg was equipped with a Riedel-developed camera and microphone.
Read more Referee-mounted camera used in German Bundesliga for first time
Referee Daniel Schlager was fitted with the RefCam device to provide viewers with a close-up view of the referee’s perspective and to show the challenges faced by match officials.
As with the Premier League trial, the footage was not made available for live coverage of the fixture. Instead, the content captured by the camera and microphone was used for a 30-minute programme ‘Referees Mic’d up – Bundesliga’.
