UK referees to trial use of body cameras

Referee body cameras will be trialled in four adult grassroots leagues in England, starting this weekend.

The intention of the bodycam trial is to improve behaviour and respect from players and spectators towards officials.

The English FA pilot is the first of its kind anywhere in the world, and comes after permission was granted by the game's lawmaking body, the International Football Association Board.

The partner leagues trialling the bodycams are in Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Worcester and Essex, the FA said.

The announcement of the trial comes in the week when a majority of referees surveyed by BBC Radio 5 Live reported receiving abuse.

The BBC contacted 7,000 members of the Referees Association and 908 of the 927 respondents - almost 98% - indicated they had experienced verbal abuse from spectators, players, coaches or managers.

More than 30% (293) said they had come in for physical abuse from spectators while a similar number (300) revealed they had had a threat of violence against them or their loved ones.

Meanwhile, the i reported earlier this month that referees in the EFL were secretly recording exchanges on the pitch and after the match in order to protect themselves from false allegations.

Around 100 officials will wear the bodycams in grassroots football within the first three months of the trial and will receive support and training to use the equipment most effectively.

Crucially, the footage will be admissible if required in a disciplinary hearing, the FA said.

If the trial proves successful the bodycams could be rolled out to additional grassroots leagues for the 2023-24 season.

"It's a defining moment in grassroots football. For me, prevention is better than a cure."

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: