Ontario Soccer Referees Introduce Body Cameras as a Response to the Rise in Abuse

Soccer referees in Ontario are now equipped with body cameras to combat the increase in aggressive behaviour and abuse towards them at games.

The move comes in response to a 16-year-old female referee being assaulted at a parking lot last year, as well as an adult player chasing a referee around the field with a machete.

Due to its launch on July 1 and running through the indoor season, the pilot project has been met with much approval from local associations, who have seen a decrease in their number of registered referees following the return from COVID.

Michelle Loveless, Executive Director of Durham Region Soccer Association, said that since 2019 they have seen "quite an increase in both the incidents, the number and severity" such that they now have 219 match officials registered compared to 623.


Rob Gillies, President of the Toronto Soccer Association, added that some referees are only 14 or 15 years old, leaving them vulnerable to adults screaming at them.

Matthew Bagazzoli, Vice President of the Toronto Referee Association, sees technology like body cameras as an advantage for properly enforcing laws and deterring bad behaviour so referees don't get overburdened with work. As well he believes it will keep soccer fun for everyone involved.

Source: CP24