I’m a grassroots referee and this is why BODYCAMS could solve the problem of abuse of officials. After I tried it… players even admit to diving!

• I’ve got a friend who quit football last month because of abuse from players 
• But, if they had been wearing a bodycam, I’m not sure it would’ve happened
• Have you witnessed abuse of referees? Contact [email protected] 

I would encourage every grassroots referee to wear a bodycam if he or she can. I was refereeing games. I owned a GoPro. I had a YouTube channel. So I thought, ‘Why not?’ I did it off my own volition and it’s made such a difference. 

The shift in behaviour when wearing one compared to not wearing one is massive. There are no negatives to it. Only positives. 

My latest YouTube video shows Meltham versus Britannia Sports. I awarded a penalty which looked like a stonewaller from my perspective. Then the striker admitted the defender did not touch him. I’ve never encountered honesty like it. 

Whether the bodycam was a factor, I cannot say for sure, but I was able to overturn my original call, say thanks to the striker, sorry to the defender, and we enjoyed a seven-goal thriller which involved impeccable behaviour from the players.

Everyone knew if they misbehaved, they’d end up on YouTube! The bodycam stops those individuals who think they can do what they want because there would be no evidence of their abuse. 

Mail Sport has launched a campaign to stop the abuse of referees at all levels of the game

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This is the moment a penalty is awarded after what looked to be a certain foul on the player

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We want to hear from refs who have been abused – or parents who have witnessed atrocious behaviour on the touchline

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It’s a deterrent and it makes me feel much more comfortable when I’m out there, doing my best to ensure a fair game. It benefits the players, too. They can watch back the footage to understand why I made certain calls, like that penalty.

My ultimate goal is to go on to have a career as a referee. I played football in my younger years, and tried coaching, but I finally found my passion in refereeing. It does not come without its challenges. 

I’ve got a friend who quit football last month because of the reaction from the male players on the pitch after allowing a late goal to stand. If she had been wearing a bodycam, I’m not sure it would’ve happened. 

Thanks to support from within the game, not least from Ref Support UK, she’s now building up the courage to get back to doing what she loves. It is important to remember that without referees, there is no game of football.

Harris uploads his bodycam-captured videos to the YouTube channel: @TonyTalksUK 

The defender then pleads his innocence and looks into the camera saying ‘I didn’t touch him’

After the attacker then reveals he did indeed dive, the attacker shakes hands and moves on

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