The Premier League is set to allow audio from on-field conversations between players and referees to be broadcast during live matches this season. This marks a significant shift, as previously, audio captured by the head-mounted RefCams was only televised several days after the game.
This move is an expansion of the RefCam system, which became a permanent fixture last season after a six-week trial. Domestic rights holders Sky Sports and TNT Sports will now be able to use this audio as part of near-live instant replays, with plans to broadcast one or two incidents from each of the Premier League's 38 match rounds.
While the audio will not be broadcast live, nor will it include incidents referred to the video assistant referee due to International Football Association Board (Ifab) rules, the number of TV games featuring RefCam is expected to increase from 20 to around 45. The Premier League and refereeing body Pro Ref are reportedly lobbying Ifab to relax rules preventing live audio broadcasts.