Referee Jarred Gillett donned a video camera during Palace’s 4-0 victory over United at Selhurst Park on Monday night, setting a Premier League record.
The one-time choice was taken with IFAB’s approval in full, and the video will be edited and utilized as a teaching tool that sheds light on Premier League officials.
This is the first official match in which a Premier League referee has worn a camera, though Rob Jones did it in the Chelsea vs. Brighton Summer Series in 2023.
In a different preseason Summer Series match, referee Peter Bankes stopped a spectacular goal by Fulham’s Harry Wilson against Brentford. Look it over below.
Now that Gillett’s perspective on Palace’s victory over United has been released by Sky Sports, the clip is amazing to see.
Before the match, Gillett was spotted chatting with a few members of United’s squad and shaking hands with both sets of players.
Then, he is seen officiating the coin toss between Palace captain Joachim Andersen and United’s acting captain, Casemiro, that evening.
Later in the video, Gillett is heard unmistakably telling Palace not to appeal for a penalty, stating, “No, no way, no.”
“The attacker as run into [Jonny] Evans, for me. That’s how I read it.”
The VAR official can then be heard speaking to Gillett, saying: “Checking for a possible penalty.
“I’m happy that’s not a penalty. Confirming on field decision and then play on.”
Gillett then says “confirmed, thanks” with the match resuming.
Why did the Premier League introduce Ref-Cam?
The video has offered amazing insight into the viewpoint of a Premier League referee as well as the procedure for liaising with the VAR officials.
In an effort to “improve participant behaviour and respect towards referees,” the Football Association (FA) started implementing body-worn cameras in grassroots football last year as part of a trial in four counties in England.
Statistics from last December indicated that there had been major offenses against local match officials, thus the trial was extended to eight counties.
At the time, Paul Field, the head of England’s Referees’ Association, stated that lives were in danger due to the severe verbal and physical mistreatment of local referees around the nation.
“You are decision away from a smack in the mouth. One day in this country a referee will lose his or her life,” he told the BBC.
“It happened in Holland a few years ago and they really changed their culture in football.”
The Premier League does not currently have any intentions to utilize ref cameras on a permanent basis.
