FIFA Innovation: Referees to Wear Body Cameras at Club World Cup

FIFA Referees Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina has announced a new innovation that will provide viewers with a different experience at this summer’s Club World Cup — referees will be equipped with body cameras connected to live broadcasts.

The technology is installed as part of the referee’s headset with a camera attached to the ear — allowing viewers to see goals, free kicks, tackles, and attacks from the referee’s perspective immediately after they occur.

The system has been tested in several competitions:

• English amateur leagues over the past two seasons
• Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg
• Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Manchester United

“We think it’s a good chance to offer viewers a new experience, with images taken from a perspective that has never been offered before,” said Collina.

UEFA referees have attended preparation seminars in Zurich, following similar events in Dubai and Buenos Aires — ensuring the highest refereeing standards for the prestigious competition that will bring together the best clubs from around the world.