Personal body cams

[Gmc]

Hi all

What’s your thoughts on using personal body cams during games?
You can pick one up on amazon for £40 and I just wondered if any have used one.
I seen a ref get assaulted the other week and thought this may me both a deterrent and proof.

 

[RustyRef]

They aren't allowed in England unless you are a referee on a league that is running one of the trials.

 

[DavidObs]

Hi all

What’s your thoughts on using personal body cams during games?
You can pick one up on amazon for £40 and I just wondered if any have used one.
I seen a ref get assaulted the other week and thought this may me both a deterrent and proof.

As RustyRef has said, not allowed unless part of the FA’s trial, but the number of leagues/counties included within the trial have been extended & hopefully to be further extended. I can’t say that I have seen any official statistics from those leagues using them, but from what I have seen/heard, they have overall been a success. If this is the case, then the only thing that may slow things down from a complete roll-out across grassroots is cost.

The trial was initially conducted in four areas: Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Essex, and Worcestershire. The trial expanded to include four more areas in the 2024-25 season: London, Surrey, Nottinghamshire, and West Riding. I haven’t heard what is happening during 2025/26.

 

[Homer Ref]

That something like this is needed is a sad indictment on today's game. Life bans for any player that assaults any match official in every NA sanctioned match.