Body Cams for Refs

Raith_C_Chattonell

New trial to start in grass roots football. 

The trial will take place across four adult grassroots leagues after recent reports that referees were experiencing verbal and physical abuse from spectators, players, coaches or managers.  The Football Association 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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KM6CueiPsY&t=11s

Arthur_Trudgill

I think it's a good idea.

Also, the Premier League should pay for/sponsor refs at grassroots level (currently grassroots clubs have to pay themselves or get a parent/coach to volunteer): this would raise the profile of the job and help create and train a bigger pool of candidates for the professional game.

cafcfan

It's not unusual for refs to fall over in a match. Hitting the ground body cam (or foam spray can) first is going to hurt.

Donkey's years ago my Dad was a ref, he always used to visit both dressing rooms before a game (this was something that wasn't permitted by the FA at the time - refs were supposed to remain aloof). He warned players and officials he'd send them off if they abused him. Simples - job done - no technology required.

Swisdom

I wanted refs to wear microphones for ages, but the reason they can’t do it is because the players want to be paid for the image right to use their voices.  

Personally I would pay to see and hear in more detail 

DaveMehmet

How sad that refs are having to resort to this. If they didn’t do what they do, football wouldn’t exist. We really do have some c***s living amongst us. 

ForeverAddickted

Hopefully this helps improve Referees - Majority of qualified referees surely have to be a special kind of person, a bit of a dick themselves, if you can get through the cauldron of starting out in the profession.

Hence when they get up to our level, its only the hardest bastards that have "survived", hence why we have to deal with so many egos from those in charge on a weekly basis - Mr John "I'm too good for League One" Smith being an example of that... Sadly he doesnt appear to be a rarity either.

ShootersHillGuru

Very good idea. The verbal abuse grass root referees experience is terrible. If the punishments for proven (video evidence) culprits is strong enough then it might reduce the loutish behaviour and reputation football has as opposed to Rugby, who have never tolerated it.

man_at_milletts

Mixed views on this. I think it's down to education, education and education.

Bromley Graham

man_at_milletts said:

Mixed views on this. I think it's down to education, education and education.

And where you play, Location, Location, Location!!

Notts_Addick

ForeverAddickted said:

Hopefully this helps improve Referees - Majority of qualified referees surely have to be a special kind of person, a bit of a dick themselves, if you can get through the cauldron of starting out in the profession.

Hence when they get up to our level, its only the hardest bastards that have "survived", hence why we have to deal with so many egos from those in charge on a weekly basis - Mr John "I'm too good for League One" Smith being an example of that... Sadly he doesnt appear to be a rarity either.

Or perhaps they are just individuals who want to give something back to the game? Or wanted to remain involved in football but either weren't good enough or had injury issues?

I used to referee at amateur level in my teenage years and the abuse even back then was beyond a joke. There is something very strange about  football in that it makes otherwise decent and law abiding folk think they can scream obscenities, threaten or even actually  inflict violence on someone who has given up their time to referee a game of football.

The issue with the trial is they have got things the wrong way round. It should start in professional leagues and then be cascaded down.

Players and managers behaviour would change in an instant if they knew their obscenities and abuse were being broadcast around the world for everyone to hear. Until the professional leagues get it right there is no hope of changing behaviour at an amateur level because people just copy what they see the professionals doing. And they get away with it. 

I have no doubt a small minority of referees in the professional leagues probably have a bit of an ego but by and large I imagine most just love the game and have found another way of making a living out of the sport they love. Criticism is part and parcel of the job but there is a fine line between fair criticism of a bad decision and the abuse that seems to have become common place nowadays.

As the article suggests unless something changes there will be a really serious incident with a referee one day, and more and more people will be put off doing it. There are lots of reasons you don't see many ex footballers refereeing as the media always seem to suggest is the solution to standards, its because none of them would be daft enough to put themselves through the hassle.

ShootersHillGuru

Very good post @Notts_Addick

Raith_C_Chattonell

There was some discussion on the radio this morning re this initiative.  I felt sorry for one young woman who gave up refereeing due to the regular abuse she'd received.  At the age of 14 a man came onto the pitch during a game and screamed abuse into her face.  Not the norm perhaps, but one is too many imo.  If the camera helps to protect refs from this then all the better.

(It's the first 20 minutes btw and then at 1:05 where Daniel Meeson (FA head of technical and development) explains more. 

Shocked that the cameras have to be activated by the ref in moments of drama - although they do somehow record the 30 seconds before activation.  

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001jbg8