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Crystal Palace v Manchester United: Premier League referee to carry the camera

A referee will be wearing a video camera tonight during Crystal Palace vs Manchester United for the first time in Premier League history.

Jarred Gillett will wear a device known as the “RefCam” on his head, although the footage will not be available to fans via the live stream.

Instead, the video will be used and edited for a unique program providing insight into Premier League officials.

“We would like to thank Crystal Palace and Manchester United for their support in this project,” the Premier League said in a statement.

Bundesliga referee Daniel Schlager wore a camera and microphone to Eintracht Frankfurt’s 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg in February, this time for a program called “Referees Mic’d up – Bundesliga”.

It is the first time a Premier League referee has worn a camera in an official match, although official Rob Jones did wear one during the 2023 Summer Series match between Chelsea and Brighton in Philadelphia.

Body cameras were trialled by the FA during adult grassroots football last year, although the idea was focused on “improving participant behavior and respect for referees”.

The original trial took place in four counties, but after figures showed allegations of serious offenses against grassroots match officials, the trial was extended to eight counties last December.

There were 1,451 charges in 2021-22, up 1% on the previous campaign when 1,430 offenses were recorded, FA data revealed.

And the FA’s annual disciplinary review showed 72 allegations of actual or attempted assault in the 2022-23 season and 53 charges were made of those allegations, with 42 proven.

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