A referee car is a vehicle driven by a match official during association football matches. The car follows the play around the field, carrying officials who keep track of the game and make decisions when necessary.
The first referee cars were introduced in the early 1990s and they have become an increasingly common sight on professional pitches since then. Referee cars offer a number of advantages over traditional methods of officiating, such as being able to keep up with the play more easily and having a clear view of the entire pitch. They also provide a degree of protection for officials, who are often subjected to abuse from disgruntled fans.