Premier League fans about to be ‘shocked’ as Howard Webb confirms revolutionary change

A huge addition to body-worn cameras worn by referees will ‘shock’ fans watching matches on TV.

That is according to talkSPORT’s Ade Oladipo after Howard Webb revealed a revolutionary change is coming this season.

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The 2026/27 campaign gets underway on Friday night at the home of reigning champions Arsenal, who welcome newly-promoted Coventry City to the Emirates Stadium at 8pm, live on talkSPORT.

This season will see the return of RefCam, with body-worn cameras catching match incidents from the referee’s perspective.

However, the technology has been updated to allow audio of conversations between players and officials to be included during in-game coverage.

Premier League RefCam changes

Pro Ref (formerly PGMOL) chief refereeing officer Webb confirmed the change at the new season’s official launch on Tuesday.

Speaking to talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook, he explained: “Over the last couple of years, we’ve used the RefCam.

“You saw it at the World Cup and the referee wears a visible camera at eye-line level.

“It gives some really great insights into the view that they’ve got on the game from the visuals, but we’ve also, over the course of last season, created some packages post-game where only only can you see the view that the referee had, but you can also hear some of the conversations that are taking place between the referee and the players.

“The football public seem to really like that. We’ve got a lot of positivity in terms of giving that insight.

“So there will be some opportunities in-game this year going forward for some of those conversations to be played out.

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“It won’t be every situation, it won’t be every game. There’s a selection of games that are going to have the RefCam, but we think it’s a good way to take the fans into the game, close to the game and hear some of those interactions between the participants.

“From our experience, that’s been a positive thing to do. So we’re looking forward to how that plays out.”

talkSPORT verdict

However, talkSPORT co-host Oladipo believes fans are in for a surprise when they get to hear the in-game audio.

Reacting to Webb’s comments on Drive alongside Darren Bent, he admitted it will be a surprise what players say to officials without being booked.

Oladipo said: “I think fans as well, once they start hearing the conversations between players and referees, I think fans will be shocked that referees don’t show more yellow cards.

“I think some of the things, and I know this because of you and Gabby (Agbonlahor) and the things you tell me, that players get away with saying to refs, you’d think it could be a straight red.”

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Under the FA’s Laws of the Game, players should be cautioned for dissent towards officials by ‘word or action’.

This also extends to team officials such as coaching staff and managers.

New Premier League rules

The expansion of RefCam is one of a number of new changes fans can expect in the Premier League this season.

Referees will now implement five-second countdowns at throw-ins to cut down on time-wasting, although it will not extend to setting up for long throw-ins as they are considered set-piece routines.

Corners will also be awarded if a goalkeeper takes too long to take a goal-kick.

At substitutions, players leaving the pitch will have ten seconds to do so at the nearest available point.

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If they take longer than ten seconds, the player replacing them must wait at least a minute to take to the field.

The change was recently seen in use during the Carabao Cup tie between Middlesbrough and Wrexham earlier this month.

As for injured players who have received treatment, they will remain off the field for a minute, up from 30 seconds.

An outfield player will be nominated to do so if a goalkeeper receives treatment as part of a bid to clamp down on ‘tactical timeouts’.

The Premier League will also allow VAR to operate in three new areas too, including when a player is sent off for two yellow cards.

VAR may also intervene for attacking fouls before the ball is in play, for example at a corner, and mistaken identity.