RefCam makes its debut! Referee wears head-mounted camera during Premier League for the first time as Man United visit Crystal Palace

History was made when referee Jarred Gillett wore a camera during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United on Monday.

Mounted on his head and connected to the referee’s usual communications system, it was the first time a top-flight referee had worn one.

The program has been approved for educational purposes by both clubs, the International Football Association Board, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited and the Premier League.

The footage will not be broadcast live as it will be included in a short program designed to ‘provide further insight and education into the demands of Premier League performance’, which will be broadcast at a later date.

While the clash will mark the first use in a Premier League clash, the concept of officials wearing mounted cameras during matches to give fans a unique perspective is not new.

During a pre-season friendly between Chelsea and Brighton in July, referee Rob Jones wore a camera on his chest as the Blues ran out 4-3 winners in Philadelphia.

A chest-mounted camera was also used during the pre-season match between Arsenal and the MLS All-Stars, with clips uploaded online from the referee’s perspective.

A head-mounted RefCam has also been introduced in the German top flight this season, with match official Daniel Schlager wearing a camera during the 2-2 draw between Frankfurt and Wolfsburg in February.

The Bundesliga later shared clips from the match from Schlager’s perspective in a compilation on YouTube, featuring conversations with players, consultations with his fellow officials and his close-up view of the action.

The camera was mounted on his head and connected to the usual communications system