Personality and attitudinal predictors of match official abuse: a survey of football players, spectators and coaches

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.