Referees to wear cameras at Club World Cup in US, but FIFA to hide controversies

FIFA will introduce eye-level cameras for referees at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off in Miami on Saturday, designed to give fans a unique perspective by showing exactly what officials see during the match.

However, the technology seems geared more towards enhancing the viewing experience for television audiences than improving the game itself.

FIFA has stated that only ‘non-controversial’ footage from the referee cameras will be shown during broadcasts. While the exact definition of “non-controversial” hasn’t been clarified, it’s clear that critical moments — such as goal-scoring incidents or potential red cards — are unlikely to be included, raising concerns about transparency and selective presentation.


While the use of referee cams is being hailed as a step towards transparency and innovation, critics argue that withholding controversial clips undermines the very purpose of the technology and raises questions about accountability in high-stakes matches.

“It is a trial,” Pierluigi Collina, veteran official and chairman of the FIFA referees committee, said on Wednesday. "What will be the future? We will see.

“We have said that we want to, let's say, offer a new experience to TV viewers. We want to show something, let's say, entertaining. I don't think that we always need to think of the controversial or potentially controversial incidents on the field of play.”

The footage from the referee's eye-level cameras will be reviewed before being broadcast, and they will be deferred live.

Another innovation set for the Club World Cup — a month-long tournament in the United States featuring 32 of the world’s top clubs — is the live display of VAR review footage on big screens inside the stadium for the first time.

This move aims to increase transparency for fans in attendance, allowing them to see exactly what officials are reviewing during critical moments of the match.