The Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter, scheduled for Saturday at 6:00 PM at the Allianz Stadium, will go down in Serie A history. For the first time ever in the Italian league, the RefCam will be used — a high-definition micro camera that will allow viewers to experience the match from the referee’s point of view.
The RefCam weighs just six grams and is positioned at the base of the referee’s microphone headset. The footage it captures will offer a unique and immersive perspective, showing live what the referee sees on the field. This technology will be used in different situations, from pre-match warm-ups to the setup of free kicks, and during particularly spectacular moments of play, with the option of high-impact replays.
The RefCam is not only an innovation for fans but also a useful tool for officiating. The footage will be made available to the TV production crew and, like other cameras, can serve as an isolated feed for VAR.
Origins of the RefCam
The idea of bringing the referee’s viewpoint to viewers isn’t entirely new. The RefCam made its football debut at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where it received an extremely positive response, as confirmed by FIFA Referees Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina.
Before that, it was tested in Germany’s Bundesliga and England, where it was used for documentary purposes during a May 2024 match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace.
This technology, which delivers a true POV (Point of View) from the referee, has also been used successfully in other sports. In Italy, for example, the Lega Basket first introduced it during the 2024 Coppa Italia Final Eight and brought it back again in 2025, proving its effectiveness in boosting fan engagement.
A Step Forward for Serie A
Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo emphasized the importance of this debut:
“The introduction of the RefCam represents another step forward in our innovation journey. For the first time, fans will be able to see football from the referee’s perspective, enjoying a more engaging and transparent experience.”
AIA President Antonio Zappi also welcomed the innovation, noting that it could become a valuable tool not just for entertainment, but also for referee training and development.
Looking Ahead
Beyond its entertainment value, the RefCam could have disciplinary implications. In the future, once it’s used in every match, the footage could become valid video evidence, discouraging unsportsmanlike behavior and providing decisive support in reviewing controversial incidents.
For now, it’s still in the experimental stage. On Saturday, referee Andrea Colombo will be the first to use the device in a Serie A match, ushering in a technology that has the potential to revolutionize how fans experience games. It’s another important step forward for Serie A, which, following the introduction of VAR, continues to rank among the most technologically advanced leagues in world football.
L’articolo RefCam Makes Serie A Debut: Juve-Inter Through the Referee’s Eyes proviene da Soccer Made In Italy.
