Home > Xinhua News Agency
English Grassroots Referees To Trial Bodycams
February 18th, 2023 | 10:38 AM | 294 views
LONDON
Grassroots football referees in England will wear bodycams in a bid to curb verbal and physical abuse, the FA announced on Friday.
A trial of the use of referee bodycams across four selected adult grassroots football leagues in England will start this weekend in Middlesbrough. It will then progress before the end of the 2022-23 season to three other leagues in Liverpool, Worcester and Essex.
The aim of the trial is to explore whether the use of bodycams improves participant behaviour and respect towards referees in grassroots games.
Within the first three months of the trial, around 100 grassroots referees will wear the equipment while officiating adult grassroots football matches. Video footage from the bodycams can also be accepted as evidence in a disciplinary hearing if required.
"Referees are the lifeblood of our game and we thank the IFAB for their support in allowing us to undertake this new grassroots bodycam trial, the first of its nature globally," said Mark Bullingham, CEO of the FA.
"We've listened to feedback from the referee community, and we hope this trial will have a positive impact on the behaviour towards them - so that ultimately they can enjoy officiating in a safe and inclusive environment."
Source:
courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
by XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]