Personality and Attitudinal Predictors of Match Official Abuse: A Survey of Football Players, Spectators and Coaches
Personality and Attitudinal Predictors of Match Official Abuse: A Survey of Football Players, Spectators and Coaches
StatusVoR
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Authors
Mojtahedi, Dara
Willmott, Dominic
Ruddick, Lydia
Hillier, Matthew
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Date
2025-08-04
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Polish Psychological Bulletin
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56
Pages
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21-29
ISSN
0079-2993
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2025-08-04
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
Despite a growing body of research surrounding the prevalence and causes of match official abuse (MOA), past studies have primarily drawn data from interviews and surveys with match officials rather than recruiting players and spectators. The present study addressed this gap by examining the prevalence of MOA and dispositional (attitudinal and personality factors) predictors of its perpetration. An online survey was completed by 358 individuals who had encountered referees through spectating or competing in football matches. The survey aimed to explore the prevalence rates of MOA through the perspective of spectators, players and coaches, as well as examining whether perpetration of MOA was associated with aggression, empathy and normalising attitudes (i.e., acceptance of MOA as a part of football). Findings indicated that self-reported levels of MOA (both perpetrated and observed) were lower than previously reported by match officials. Furthermore, statistical analysis indicated that aggression (anger and hostility) and normalising attitudes predicted the perpetration of verbal abuse. The authors propose the utilisation of targeted awareness campaigns and top-down interventions to address the normalisation of MOA among footballers and fans.
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Keywords PL
Keywords EN
match official abuse (MOA)
verbal aggression
referee abuse
amateur football
fandom
sport hostility
verbal aggression
referee abuse
amateur football
fandom
sport hostility
Keywords other
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