Premier League to consider fitting referees with body cams in effort to protect officials after Arne Slot X-rated rant at Michael Oliver

Football Association (FA) chief executive Mark Bullingham has been a strong advocate for introducing bodycams in professional football, believing that such technology could help curb poor behaviour while also enhancing fan engagement through live footage. Body-worn cameras have already been successfully introduced at grassroots level, where they are used to deter abuse against referees. Bullingham believes that bringing them to the top tier of English football would not only enhance officiating transparency but also add a compelling dimension to broadcasts.

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."

Speaking about the impact of body cams at the grassroots, Bullingham said: "They have had a really positive impact. 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 are bodycams."

Bullingham has already initiated discussions with FIFA regarding the feasibility of implementing bodycams in elite football. He hopes that multiple countries will take part in trials, which could eventually lead to the technology becoming a standard feature in football officiating.

"What we're speaking with FIFA about is whether we can get more countries to adopt a trial and potentially even get FIFA behind it," he revealed. "There are lots of creative solutions being looked at. I think we see that as a good way of referees being more confident. I personally think it is good and it is something which should be trialed and potentially allowed."

While the introduction of bodycams in competitive matches would be a groundbreaking move, similar technology has already been tested in certain Premier League and pre-season fixtures.

Jarred Gillett wore a head-mounted camera during a Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United in 2024. Although the footage wasn’t broadcast live, it was later compiled for an educational program aimed at providing insight into officiating challenges.

Whereas, in the Summer Series pre-season tournament, referee Rob Jones tested a chest-mounted camera during a match between Chelsea and Brighton in Philadelphia. Another pre-season game saw Peter Bankes record a stunning goal by Harry Wilson, showcasing how referee-worn cameras could add an exciting new perspective to football coverage.

With growing support for the initiative, body cameras could soon become a regular feature in top-flight football. However, discussions will continue regarding privacy concerns, potential impact on decision-making, and whether live broadcasting should be permitted.