'There is more discipline in the Premiership than Serie A' - Philip Don (Radio 5 Live)

Philip Don, the Premier League's referees officer, told Radio 5 Live that world football's governing body FIFA has already given the go-ahead for an experimental scheme to take place.

He said referees would be in radio contact with their assistants on the touchlines - but at this stage there are no plans to broadcast the often heated conversations between players and officials.

"We're certainly looking at various aspects of technology," Mr Don said.

"For instance we're investigating goal-line technology, to decide whether the ball has crossed the line or not.

Philip Don explains how the microphone system might work (Radio 5 Live)

"And we've been given permission by FIFA next season to have officials miked up, which I believe will assist their control.

"I think if technology can be developed to assist the referee and not replace him then we've got to investigate that."

No concrete proposal has yet been put forward, but Mr Don confirmed the plans would not be too ambitious at the start.

"Initially how we would operate it, I think, would be that the two assistant referees only would have microphones and the referee would have an earpiece - because you can control what the referee says, but you can't control what the players say.

"It could be embarrassing for players if the referee was miked up as well.