A novelty in German football: For the first time, the DFB used the so-called “Ref-Cam” in a competitive game.
Referee Daniel Schlager had the special portable camera on Sunday during the third division game between Arminia Bielefeld and 1860 Munich (2-0) during the entire encounter on the body. It was mounted on the referee’s headset and showed the game from the referee’s perspective.
Use as an “opportunity”
The operation was carried out in coordination with the two clubs involved. However, the focus of the development of the Ref-Cam is not on the “entertainment value” for the spectators, as the DFB announced on Monday. Rather, it is about “additional transparency for the public as well as further training and improvement opportunities” for the referees. “The new perspective on the field is intended to create more understanding for the difficult task of the referees,” explained the DFB.
This is exactly why Schlager sees the premiere of the “Ref-Cam” in the 3rd league as a great opportunity: “Often a situation is only explained from two or three perspectives. Now I can show my perspective to the spectators,” said the FIFA referee.
Pictures not shown live
You can also capture emotions with the camera. “Emotions are what make sport and refereeing,” says Schlager. This was nice to see in a scene when Bielefeld’s Fabian Klos received a free kick in the face and then became quite angry after a comment from Munich’s Morris Schröter. Schlager then calmed both players down. The pictures were not shown live, but were discussed afterwards on the broadcasting station “MagentaSport”.
“MagentaSport” showed the “Ref-Cam” to a wider public for the first time during pre-season preparation at the test match between 1. FC Cologne and AC Milan.
