Under Law 5 of the IFAB Laws of the Game, a referee must have a whistle, a watch, red and yellow cards, and a notebook or another way to keep a record of the match. Some communication gear, fitness-monitoring equipment, and body cameras may also be permitted, while jewellery and other electronic equipment are prohibited.
Required, permitted, and prohibited equipment
Here is the equipment split by status.
| Equipment | Status |
|---|---|
| Whistle(s) | Compulsory |
| Watch(es) | Compulsory |
| Red and yellow cards | Compulsory |
| Notebook or other means of keeping a record of the match | Compulsory |
| Equipment for communicating with the other match officials, such as buzzer or beep flags and headsets | May be permitted |
| EPTS or other fitness monitoring equipment | May be permitted |
| Body cameras | May be permitted, if the competition organiser supplies them, controls the footage and complies with the relevant guidelines |
| Jewellery, or any other electronic equipment, cameras included | Prohibited |
What a referee must have
The mandatory group has four parts. The referee needs whistle(s), watch(es), red and yellow cards, and a notebook or another means of keeping a record of the match.
For the record-keeping item, either is enough: a notebook, or another means of keeping a record of the match.
What may be permitted
None of the equipment in this group is compulsory. A referee may be permitted to use equipment for communicating with the other match officials, with buzzer or beep flags and headsets given as examples rather than a closed list.
EPTS or other fitness monitoring equipment may also be permitted. Body cameras sit in their own category and need three conditions together: the competition organiser supplies them, has control of the footage, and complies with the relevant guidelines.
Those cameras may include microphones. The microphones cannot be used to broadcast communication with the video assistant referee, and the footage and sound may be used by the appropriate authorities for disciplinary matters.
What is prohibited on the field
Referees and the other on-field match officials are not allowed to wear jewellery. They are also barred from using any other electronic equipment, with cameras included in that ban apart from body cameras that have been permitted under the stated conditions.
Accessories may be worn as long as they are not dangerous.
FAQ
Do referees wear body cameras?
They may be permitted to use them, but that permission is conditional. The competition organiser has to supply the cameras, control the footage, and comply with the relevant guidelines.
What does a referee carry in a pocket?
A referee must have red and yellow cards and a notebook or another way to keep a match record. A whistle and a watch are also compulsory. There is no requirement about which pocket or place holds each item.
Can referees wear jewellery?
No. Referees and the other on-field match officials are prohibited from wearing it.
Do referees wear headsets?
Headsets may be permitted as communication equipment used with the other match officials. They are not part of the compulsory equipment.