Referee Microphones in football

[Blanco]

Referees in rugby all wear microphones and we can hear everything they and the players are saying(as long as they are in range). Do you think it would be a good idea to implement this into Premier League football?

They have just implemented this into Australia's A league for the end of series finals(5 games). "Television viewers will be able to hear referees in five matches, starting on Friday as Melbourne Victory host Sydney FC, and in the Grand Final."

Last year during the whole Clattenburg Mikel incident it was called for refs too wear microphones so that the fans can hear during games to avoid situations like these. It never really materialised.

I think it wouldn't be a bad idea. Refs are constantly getting surrounded and abused by players for making decisions and this would probably stop that. I bet Terry or Ferdinand would choice their words wisely whilst questioning the refs decisions if they knew millions of people were listening to them.

I for one think it would be a good idea. What do you think?

If you're interested in watching and hearing what its like they will be using it for the first time on Friday in a match between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC - 10.30 AM.

[aaronmcguigan]

I reckon it should be introduced to record what is being said to use it to evaluate referee performance, clamp down on disrespect but maybe not just for the benefit of the watching public.

[Blanco]

I reckon it should be introduced to record what is being said to use it to evaluate referee performance, clamp down on disrespect but maybe not just for the benefit of the watching public.

I think it would be good for both reasons. So the fans now why the refs made a certain decision and so the players will maybe behave themselves a bit more.

[Rhys Lightning 63]

I'd be more in favour of the head mounted cameras they use in rugby league. It will stop all this 'did the ref have a perfect view of it' nonsense

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/9764226/Apart-from-nausea-Skys-ref-cam-innovation-added-nothing-to-the-viewing-experience.html

[FPT]

I'm all for it. We'd be able to hear referee's explain their decisions and why they came to a certain conclusion. And as you say, we'd also get to hear what players actually do say to referees.

If you have time, give this a watch, a little documentary following a Spanish referee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aoIy89mSk8

[grandad]

I believe it is used in American Gridiron so the whole stadium can hear the decisions. The ref has a switch attached to his belt so he can switch it on or off. Great idea.

[Logicalman]

The biggest difference between both Rugby & NFL and English Football, is that if the mike was live, the bleeping would not allow any of us to hear whatever the conversation was.

Lets get real, footballers are some of the most foul-mouthed urchins we will ever see, and the fact is that if any of the rest of us used that language in our place of work we'd get fired.

I personally really don't care what conversation transpires between the ref and players, though I would favor the idea of all transmissions being recorded for post-match analysis by those that need to investigate some calls/situations that have arisen during the game (Mikel one is a perfect example), and the refs mike in particular should be set live at all times during the time he is on the field of play.

[Blanco]

I think that maybe the microphone would make the players think about what they're saying instead of just blurting out swear words.

[Herbie]

Anything that will stop the abuse aimed at referees would be a positive addition to the game. It bugs me when players crowd around the ref as there is no need for it and it sets a bad example to kids watching the game.  The respect shown towards officials is definitely one lesson that football should learn from rugby. Unfortunately, previous initiatives aimed at improving respect towards officials have had little impact.

I like the suggestion of a head-cam for the ref's eye view

[JDH101]

Refs have such a hard time of it these days that whatever they think they need to help them I am all for. Why the FA won't bring in retrospective bans for diving I have no idea. It is the single most frustrating part of the game which ruins my enjoyment. The Real Madrid Barcelona game a few weeks ago was amazing but also ruined by 3 or 4 blatant dives. A couple by Ronaldo himself, who then has the audacity to blame the ref for why they lost.

[Blanco]

Refs have such a hard time of it these days that whatever they think they need to help them I am all for. Why the FA won't bring in retrospective bans for diving I have no idea. It is the single most frustrating part of the game which ruins my enjoyment. The Real Madrid Barcelona game a few weeks ago was amazing but also ruined by 3 or 4 blatant dives. A couple by Ronaldo himself, who then has the audacity to blame the ref for why they lost.

I used to love the Clasicos and I'll always watch them, including tomorrows cup final. But it's got to be the worst derby. The players are constantly at each others throats. Moaning at every referee decision. Cheating and diving. The last one was awful. Two unfair penalty's awarded to Barsa. Bad refereeing aswell. Microphones and cameras would definitely be beneficial for them games.

[YankeeJim]

Goal line tech, refs with mics and head mounted cameras? Why don't we just eliminate the refs and use only electronics? If every one had the same view, there would still be arguments. The game became great because of the way it was designed. Too much interference will just ruin it. Leave well enough alone.

[Blanco]

Goal line tech, refs with mics and head mounted cameras? Why don't we just eliminate the refs and use only electronics? If every one had the same view, there would still be arguments. The game became great because of the way it was designed. Too much interference will just ruin it. Leave well enough alone.

I think cameras would probably be going too far. Every decision the ref makes would be analyzed. Managers will be calling for the recording and asking how the ref didn't see a certain situation, maybe the ref was looking somewhere else, etc... I do think microphones would be beneficiary though.

[HatterDon]

NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Logicalman]

Goal line tech, refs with mics and head mounted cameras? Why don't we just eliminate the refs and use only electronics? If every one had the same view, there would still be arguments. The game became great because of the way it was designed. Too much interference will just ruin it. Leave well enough alone.

I think cameras would probably be going too far. Every decision the ref makes would be analyzed. Managers will be calling for the recording and asking how the ref didn't see a certain situation, maybe the ref was looking somewhere else, etc... I do think microphones would be beneficiary though.

I agree, unless you use something to tunnel vision the refs eyes to be exactly in line with the camera, there is no way to determine he was actually looking in that direction, and peripheral vision is not sufficient. Not that I am suggestion the tunnel vision idea, its just one reason why head cams would not work.

[Burt]

On the basis that there is nothing to lose and no harm can come of it, then why not?? Worth trialling, it it works then implement it, if it needs changing to work then change it to work, and if it's a bad idea then bin the idea.

[General]

I'd be more in favour of the head mounted cameras they use in rugby league. It will stop all this 'did the ref have a perfect view of it' nonsense

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/9764226/Apart-from-nausea-Skys-ref-cam-innovation-added-nothing-to-the-viewing-experience.html

I was thinking google glass would be used for that.

[The Equalizer]

I think it's a great idea to have microphones. I often go to Twickenham and The Stoop, and you can grab a little radio before the match which is tuned into the ref's mic so you can hear all the nitty gritty going on on the pitch. It's not all clean cut though, there's often a lot of swearing going on.

Still, it gives a great overview as to what is being said, it will make both players and referees think before talking or even making rash decisions. I'll also be keen to hack the ref's headset using the same frequency so that I can tell him exactly what I think of him when he makes a bad move too!

[Rhys Lightning 63]

I think it's a great idea to have microphones. I often go to Twickenham and The Stoop, and you can grab a little radio before the match which is tuned into the ref's mic so you can hear all the nitty gritty going on on the pitch. It's not all clean cut though, there's often a lot of swearing going on.

Still, it gives a great overview as to what is being said, it will make both players and referees think before talking or even making rash decisions. I'll also be keen to hack the ref's headset using the same frequency so that I can tell him exactly what I think of him when he makes a bad move too!

Do they still have the analougue reflinks at Twickenham? I remember going to The Millenium Stadium and it was digitalised and pre-tuned to the reflink channel, but at Twickenham you had to scroll through to find it

[Nero]

didnt they mic a ref up years ago, for an Arsenal game but didnt tell the players, all he got was abuse he could have sent about 6 players off for Foul and abusive langauge. Think it was panaorma or something like that.