DECISION-MAKING OF FOOTBALL REFEREES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: PSYCHOLOGICAL, COMMUNICATIVE, AND FUNCTIONAL FACTORS

Abstract

This study aimed to prioritize the effects of COVID-19 and stadiums without spectators on the judgment of football referees, assistant football referees, futsal referees, and beach soccer referees in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect the data. The qualitative section involved interviews with 15 refereeing experts, while the quantitative section involved male and female football referees, futsal referees, and beach soccer referees in Iran (n=339). Following the interviews, a researcherdesigned questionnaire with 14 questions was electronically distributed among the referees. They were asked in general about the impact of the absence of spectators on their performance. To identify the factors and components affecting referees, factor analysis was conducted using SPSS software. Additionally, first- and second-order confirmatory factor analysis (SEM) was performed using LISREL software to validate the components. Finally, the identified factors were ranked using the Friedman test. It was found that stadiums without spectators benefited young and inexperienced referees, as they were able to judge matches more effectively. The closed doors format also resulted in less psychological pressure on referees, players, and coaches, since there were no spectators to protest mistakes or poor performance.