BODY CAMERAS (PROFESSIONAL LEVEL)

At a glance

  • Purpose: Enhance match storytelling, provide unique referee perspectives, improve understanding of refereeing decisions and provide educational material
  • Approved at: IFAB Annual General Meeting (March 2025)
  • Trial Period: Ongoing, with feedback collected from participating competitions
  • Scope: Domestic and international competitions worldwide
  • Contact: [email protected]

Participation and requirements

Both trial protocols may be used as from 1 January 2021 by competitions at any level. Confederations and national FAs (on behalf of the competitions under their auspices) must apply to The IFAB for permission to take part in the trial.

Data/information required as part of the participation in the trial

Each competition organiser must collect football-related feedback and provide it to The IFAB and, where required, collect medical information and provide it to FIFA in order for the trial to be properly assessed.

Background

Following successful referee body camera tests at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ for broadcast use, The IFAB has extended the trial to allow domestic and international competitions worldwide to take part.

Originally approved at The IFAB’s Annual General Meeting in March 2025 for FIFA tournaments only, this broader rollout enables more competitions to test the technology and share insights.

Early feedback has shown:

  • Close-up, first-person footage enriches match storytelling.
  • Unique referee perspectives reveal the athletic demands and split-second decision-making pressures.
  • Enhanced broadcast potential for post-match analysis and television production.

Guidelines

Equipment & safety

  • Cameras must capture the referee’s point of view.
  • Must be small, lightweight, and securely fixed (head or body mount).
  • Cannot obstruct vision or movement.
  • Must be weather- and impact-resistant for the full match.


Technical & broadcast requirements

  • Feed must be synchronised with the host-broadcast system.
  • If used live, VAR must have access to the synchronised feed.
  • Malfunctions must not interrupt play; repairs only at natural stoppages.


Usage rules

  • Primary use: replays.
  • Live shots: only in exceptional cases (e.g., walk to on-field review, controlled pre/post-match moments).
  • Non-controversial clips: may be used without approval.
  • Potentially controversial content: requires authorisation before use.
  • Penalty-area or red-card incidents: show only after play restarts.
  • Audio: only for non-controversial moments; live audio discouraged.
  • Prohibited: dressing room footage and live VAR conversations

    Participation & permissions

    • Competitions must apply to The IFAB via their national FA or confederation.
    • The trial protocol must be followed in full; no variations without written IFAB approval.
    • Feedback and technical data must be supplied to IFAB for review.

    FAQs