BODY cameras will be worn by referees officiating adult grassroots football in Worcester for the first time as part of a nation-wide trial by the FA.

The intention of the bodycam trial is to improve behaviour and respect from players and spectators towards officials.

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The Football Association pilot is the first of its kind anywhere in the world, and comes after permission was granted by the game’s lawmaking body, the International Football Association Board.

The Worcester & District League is one of four grassroot leagues in the country that will see the body cameras worn in the coming weeks. The other three leagues to adopt the cameras are based in Liverpool, Middlesbrough and Essex.

The announcement of the trial comes in the week when a majority of referees surveyed by BBC Radio 5 Live reported receiving abuse.

The BBC contacted 7,000 members of the Referees Association and 908 of the 927 respondents – almost 98 per cent – indicated they had experienced verbal abuse from spectators, players, coaches or managers.

More than 30 per cent (293) said they had come in for physical abuse from spectators while a similar number (300) revealed they had had a threat of violence against them or their loved ones.

Meanwhile, The i reported earlier this month that referees in the EFL were secretly recording exchanges on the pitch and after the match in order to protect themselves from false allegations.

Around 100 officials will wear the bodycams in grassroots football within the first three months of the trial and will receive support and training to use the equipment most effectively.

Crucially, the footage will be admissible if required in a disciplinary hearing, the FA said.

If the trial proves successful the bodycams could be rolled out to additional grassroots leagues for the 2023-24 season.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “Referees are the lifeblood of our game and we thank the IFAB for their support in allowing us to undertake this new grassroots bodycam trial, the first of its nature globally.

“We have listened to feedback from the referee community, and we hope this trial will have a positive impact on the behaviour towards them – so that ultimately they can enjoy officiating in a safe and inclusive environment.”