Lincolnshire FA has introduced referee bodycams as part of The Football Association’s ongoing trial, as efforts continue to improve behaviour and protect match officials across the grassroots game.

The FA first launched the bodycam trial in February 2023 across four adult grassroots partner leagues in Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Worcester and Essex. The initiative has since expanded to include additional counties, with Lincolnshire FA joining the trial.

The aim of the trial is to explore whether the use of bodycams improves participant behaviour and respect towards referees, while also providing officials with greater confidence, reassurance and protection on matchdays.

The trial began in Lincolnshire at the end of January 2026 and is being conducted across a limited number of matches in the Lincs League, the Grimsby Sunday League, and Lincs FA County Cup competitions. Selected grassroots referees will wear body-worn cameras while officiating adult grassroots fixtures. All referees taking part have received the appropriate training and guidance to ensure the equipment is used effectively and in line with approved FA protocols. Where required, recorded footage may be used as supporting evidence in disciplinary hearings.

The introduction of bodycams comes at a time when referee abuse is rising nationally, contributing to a shortage of officials and, in some cases, fixtures being postponed due to a lack of referees.

Alongside the bodycam trial, Lincolnshire FA continues to implement a range of measures aimed at improving behaviour, including stronger sanctions for repeat offenders, sin bins and captain-only communication initiatives, all designed to promote respect for match officials.

The FA will continue to monitor and evaluate the impact of bodycams across all participating counties as part of the wider IFAB and FA trial.

Commenting on the trial, Declan Ford, Referee Development Manager at Lincolnshire FA, said: “I am delighted that Lincs FA referees have been selected to take part in this ongoing national trial and I will be very interested to see the impact it has on participant behaviour. We will continue to look at different ways to support all the referees of Lincolnshire operating across grassroots football.”

Lincolnshire FA remains committed to creating a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for referees, ensuring grassroots football can continue to thrive across the county.