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Violence in sports has the greatest impact in the media, especially on television. In the case of refereeing, although there are studies that have specifically addressed violence, those performed on female referees have not had the same repercussions. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is to analyse the media coverage of violence against female referees in Brazil and Spain. In parallel, its intention is to reflect the perceptions of female referees in this respect. The methodology employed combined case studies with critical discourse analysis, based on news items and focus groups with female referees. The results reveal that gender violence against female referees is the most widespread type of aggression. Moreover, they highlight the sensationalist nature of the TV coverage of the phenomenon through the incorporation of visual and audio resources. Lastly, the findings of this study show how the prominence that this type of violence has achieved in the media has ended up eclipsing the recognition of the work of female referees.

Violence in sports has the greatest impact in the media, especially on television. In the case of refereeing, although there are studies that have specifically addressed violence, those performed on female referees have not had the same repercussions. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is to analyse the media coverage of violence against female referees in Brazil and Spain. In parallel, its intention is to reflect the perceptions of female referees in this respect. The methodology employed combined case studies with critical discourse analysis, based on news items and focus groups with female referees. The results reveal that gender violence against female referees is the most widespread type of aggression. Moreover, they highlight the sensationalist nature of the TV coverage of the phenomenon through the incorporation of visual and audio resources. Lastly, the findings of this study show how the prominence that this type of violence has achieved in the media has ended up eclipsing the recognition of the work of female referees.

Violence in sports has the greatest impact in the media, especially on television. In the case of refereeing, although there are studies that have specifically addressed violence, those performed on female referees have not had the same repercussions. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is to analyse the media coverage of violence against female referees in Brazil and Spain. In parallel, its intention is to reflect the perceptions of female referees in this respect. The methodology employed combined case studies with critical discourse analysis, based on news items and focus groups with female referees. The results reveal that gender violence against female referees is the most widespread type of aggression. Moreover, they highlight the sensationalist nature of the TV coverage of the phenomenon through the incorporation of visual and audio resources. Lastly, the findings of this study show how the prominence that this type of violence has achieved in the media has ended up eclipsing the recognition of the work of female referees.

Violence in sports has the greatest impact in the media, especially on television. In the case of refereeing, although there are studies that have specifically addressed violence, those performed on female referees have not had the same repercussions. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is to analyse the media coverage of violence against female referees in Brazil and Spain. In parallel, its intention is to reflect the perceptions of female referees in this respect. The methodology employed combined case studies with critical discourse analysis, based on news items and focus groups with female referees. The results reveal that gender violence against female referees is the most widespread type of aggression. Moreover, they highlight the sensationalist nature of the TV coverage of the phenomenon through the incorporation of visual and audio resources. Lastly, the findings of this study show how the prominence that this type of violence has achieved in the media has ended up eclipsing the recognition of the work of female referees.

Referee and match official discontinuation in sport is an issue of relevance to sport managers and administrators. Despite this, it is an often-neglected area of sport management research. In this paper, a critical analysis of the discontinuation of soccer referees across two countries is provided, utilizing an intergroup conflict theoretical construct to frame the analysis, drawing on the concept of conflict resolution to consider solutions to the issues uncovered. The distribution and subsequent analysis of an online survey in both France and the Netherlands facilitated engagement with a total of 4,637 referees, comprising 3,408 from France and 1,229 from the Netherlands. Following the thematic analysis higher order themes related to aggression, abuse and support systems emerged. Referees reported that verbal abuse was a frequent occurrence, and that incidents of physical abuse were also evident, indicating a culture of abuse toward referees in both countries. Referees as an outgroup felt marginalized, as players, coaches and spectators form ingroups with shared objectives. Additional findings suggest that the support structures around the referees require strengthening at both local and national level, to address issues related to discontinuation. The authors conclude by discussing the implications of the research on the match official abuse related literature, as well as identifying suggestions for researchers and practitioners.

Referee and match official discontinuation in sport is an issue of relevance to sport managers and administrators. Despite this, it is an often-neglected area of sport management research. In this paper, a critical analysis of the discontinuation of soccer referees across two countries is provided, utilizing an intergroup conflict theoretical construct to frame the analysis, drawing on the concept of conflict resolution to consider solutions to the issues uncovered. The distribution and subsequent analysis of an online survey in both France and the Netherlands facilitated engagement with a total of 4,637 referees, comprising 3,408 from France and 1,229 from the Netherlands. Following the thematic analysis higher order themes related to aggression, abuse and support systems emerged. Referees reported that verbal abuse was a frequent occurrence, and that incidents of physical abuse were also evident, indicating a culture of abuse toward referees in both countries. Referees as an outgroup felt marginalized, as players, coaches and spectators form ingroups with shared objectives. Additional findings suggest that the support structures around the referees require strengthening at both local and national level, to address issues related to discontinuation. The authors conclude by discussing the implications of the research on the match official abuse related literature, as well as identifying suggestions for researchers and practitioners.

The purpose of the present study was to translate into Spanish and analyze the reliability and validity of the Referee Self-Efficacy Scale (REFS). The English version of the 13-item REFS, which was created by Myers, Feltz, Guillén and Dithurbide (2012), was analyzed with data obtained from a sample of 490 Spanish referees representing three different team sports. The reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest. The validity was assessed through Con€rmatory Factor Analyses and the correlations between the REFS subscales. The reliability estimated with Cronbach's alpha was (alpha = .85) which was acceptable for the 13-item REFS as well as its subscales ranged .72 to .80. The Con€rmatory Factor Analyses were performed which supported a 13-item REFS, assessing the four hypothesized dimensions of self-efficacy: game knowledge, decision-making, pressure, and communication. The overall €fit of the model was good showing value of .95 for AGFI, .97 for GFI and NNFI, .98 for CFI, and .04 for RMSEA. In conclusion, this version shows good properties in terms of its dimensionality and internal consistency. Guidelines are also provided for future research on its validity as a measure of self-efficacy in a sample of Spanish officials., El propósito del presente estudio era traducir al español y analizar la fi€abilidad y validez de la Referee Self-Efficacy Scale (REFS). La versión inglesa de la REFS con 13 ítems, creada por Myers, Feltz, Guillén y Dithurbide (2012), fue analizada con datos procedentes de una muestra de 490 árbitros españoles representantes de tres diferentes deportes de equipo. La fi€abilidad fue evaluada usando el alfa de Cronbach y el test-retest. La validez fue evaluada a través un Análisis Factorial Con€rmatorio y las correlaciones entre las subescalas REFS. La €fiabilidad estimada con el alfa de Cronbach era (α = .85) siendo aceptable para los 13 ítems de la REFS, así como para sus subescalas, variando desde .72 a .80. El Análisis FactorialCon€rmatorio ejecutado respaldó una REFS de 13 ítems, evaluando las cuatro dimensiones de autoe€cacia hipotetizadas: conocimiento del juego, toma de decisión, presión y comunicación. El ajuste general del modelo fue bueno mostrando un valor de .95 para AGFI, .97 para GFI y NNFI, .98 para CFI, y .04 para RMSEA. En conclusión, esta versión muestra buenas propiedades en términos de su dimensionalidad y consistencia interna. También se proporcionan pautas para futuras investigaciones por su validez como medida de autoe€cacia en una muestra de árbitros españoles., O propósito do presente estudo foi traduzir para espanhol e analisar a €abilidade e validade da Referee Self-Eƒcacy Scale (REFS). A versão inglesa da REFS com 13 itens, elaborada por Myers, Feltz, Guillén y Dithurbide (2012), foi analisada com dados procedentes de uma amostra de 490 árbitros espanhóis representantes de três modalidades coletivas distintas. A €abilidade foi avaliada através do alfa de Cronbach e do test-retest. A validade foi avaliada através da Análise Fatorial Con€rmatória e das correlações entre as subescalas da REFS. A €abilidade foi estimada com o alfa de Cronbach (α = .85) sendo aceitável para os 13 itens da REFS, assim como para as suas subescalas, variando entre .72 e .80. A Análise Fatorial Con€rmatória elaborada demonstrou uma REFS de 13 itens, avaliando as quatro dimensões de autoe€cácia: conhecimento do jogo, tomada de decisão, pressão e comunicação. O ajustamento global do modelo foi bom mostrando um valor de .95 para AGFI, .97 para GFI e NNFI, .98 para CFI, e .04 para RMSEA. Em conclusão, esta versão demonstra boas propriedades em termos da sua dimensionalidade e consistência interna. Também foram delineadas linhas orientadoras para futuras investigações pela validade como medida de autoe€cácia numa amostra de árbitros espanhóis.

The purpose of the present study was to translate into Spanish and analyze the reliability and validity of the Referee Self-Efficacy Scale (REFS). The English version of the 13-item REFS, which was created by Myers, Feltz, Guillén and Dithurbide (2012), was analyzed with data obtained from a sample of 490 Spanish referees representing three different team sports. The reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest. The validity was assessed through Con€rmatory Factor Analyses and the correlations between the REFS subscales. The reliability estimated with Cronbach’s alpha was (alpha = .85) which was acceptable for the 13-item REFS as well as its subscales ranged .72 to .80. The Con€rmatory Factor Analyses were performed which supported a 13-item REFS, assessing the four hypothesized dimensions of self-efficacy: game knowledge, decision-making, pressure, and communication. The overall €fit of the model was good showing value of .95 for AGFI, .97 for GFI and NNFI, .98 for CFI, and .04 for RMSEA. In conclusion, this version shows good properties in terms of its dimensionality and internal consistency. Guidelines are also provided for future research on its validity as a measure of self-efficacy in a sample of Spanish officials., El propósito del presente estudio era traducir al español y analizar la fi€abilidad y validez de la Referee Self-Efficacy Scale (REFS). La versión inglesa de la REFS con 13 ítems, creada por Myers, Feltz, Guillén y Dithurbide (2012), fue analizada con datos procedentes de una muestra de 490 árbitros españoles representantes de tres diferentes deportes de equipo. La fi€abilidad fue evaluada usando el alfa de Cronbach y el test-retest. La validez fue evaluada a través un Análisis Factorial Con€rmatorio y las correlaciones entre las subescalas REFS. La €fiabilidad estimada con el alfa de Cronbach era (α = .85) siendo aceptable para los 13 ítems de la REFS, así como para sus subescalas, variando desde .72 a .80. El Análisis FactorialCon€rmatorio ejecutado respaldó una REFS de 13 ítems, evaluando las cuatro dimensiones de autoe€cacia hipotetizadas: conocimiento del juego, toma de decisión, presión y comunicación. El ajuste general del modelo fue bueno mostrando un valor de .95 para AGFI, .97 para GFI y NNFI, .98 para CFI, y .04 para RMSEA. En conclusión, esta versión muestra buenas propiedades en términos de su dimensionalidad y consistencia interna. También se proporcionan pautas para futuras investigaciones por su validez como medida de autoe€cacia en una muestra de árbitros españoles., O propósito do presente estudo foi traduzir para espanhol e analisar a €abilidade e validade da Referee Self-Eƒcacy Scale (REFS). A versão inglesa da REFS com 13 itens, elaborada por Myers, Feltz, Guillén y Dithurbide (2012), foi analisada com dados procedentes de uma amostra de 490 árbitros espanhóis representantes de três modalidades coletivas distintas. A €abilidade foi avaliada através do alfa de Cronbach e do test-retest. A validade foi avaliada através da Análise Fatorial Con€rmatória e das correlações entre as subescalas da REFS. A €abilidade foi estimada com o alfa de Cronbach (α = .85) sendo aceitável para os 13 itens da REFS, assim como para as suas subescalas, variando entre .72 e .80. A Análise Fatorial Con€rmatória elaborada demonstrou uma REFS de 13 itens, avaliando as quatro dimensões de autoe€cácia: conhecimento do jogo, tomada de decisão, pressão e comunicação. O ajustamento global do modelo foi bom mostrando um valor de .95 para AGFI, .97 para GFI e NNFI, .98 para CFI, e .04 para RMSEA. Em conclusão, esta versão demonstra boas propriedades em termos da sua dimensionalidade e consistência interna. Também foram delineadas linhas orientadoras para futuras investigações pela validade como medida de autoe€cácia numa amostra de árbitros espanhóis.

Recent changes in the Department of Sport and Recreation have placed new external pressures and challenges on Sport officials to change their ways of managing School Sport Mass Participation Programme in their sphere of operation. The above challenge prompted the researcher to investigate the Management and Implementation of School Sport Mass Participation Programme (SMPP) in selected secondary schools at Malamulele East Education Cluster in the Limpopo Province. The study is concerned with the development of effective strategies that will enhance the capacity of sport officials and change their perception; and that of other stakeholders on the management and implementation of the School Sport Mass Participation Programme. This study used the context of Malamulele East cluster as its spring board in engaging in the daunting subject of the School Sport Mass Participation Programme. Surely, with all the changes that are involved in the implementation of the above programme, there is a need to review the way the School Sport Mass Participation Programme should be implemented, hence this study. The literature review established the relationship between Sport Management and the implementation of School Sport Mass Participation Programme. In this regard, the study showed that managers who apply the principles of management, motivation, participation in decision making, management by objectives and delegation can enhance the management and implementation of School Sport Mass Participation Programme in the area of the study. In this study, a mixed research design approach was employed to investigate the factors that promote and hinder the management and implementation of the School Sport Mass Participation Programme in Malamulele East cluster. Both questionnaires and structured interviews were employed to collect data from the respondents. The main findings of the study confirmed that there are challenges associated with the management and implementation of the School Sport

In this article, structural issues with regard to the quality of the self-governance of the35 Olympic sport governing bodies (SGBs) are analysed. First, this article presentsempirical evidence on the lack of accountability arrangements in SGBs. In particular,the watchdog function of their member organizations is severely undermined by thegeneral absence of objective criteria and transparency in the distribution of funding tomembers. With regard to checks and balances, arguably the most topical issue is thecomplete lack of independent ethics committees. Second, our survey demonstrates thatmost SGBs have institutionalized athlete participation. However, in the overwhelmingmajority of the organizations, they have not been granted a share of formal decisionmaking power. Third, with regard to executive body members, there is the ratheranachronistic dominance of the European continent and also the preponderance ofmale officials. In addition, the general lack of term limits poses serious threats withregard to the concentration of power, which is evidenced for instance by the overallnumber of years SGB presidents are in office. The empirical evidence clearly supportsthe recent calls for improved governance in sport, according to which SGBs need toagree upon, and act in accordance with, a set of well-defined criteria of good governance.Only then will the self-governance of sport be credible and the privilegedautonomy of these organizations justifiable.

In this article, structural issues with regard to the quality of the self-governance of the35 Olympic sport governing bodies (SGBs) are analysed. First, this article presentsempirical evidence on the lack of accountability arrangements in SGBs. In particular,the watchdog function of their member organizations is severely undermined by thegeneral absence of objective criteria and transparency in the distribution of funding tomembers. With regard to checks and balances, arguably the most topical issue is thecomplete lack of independent ethics committees. Second, our survey demonstrates thatmost SGBs have institutionalized athlete participation. However, in the overwhelmingmajority of the organizations, they have not been granted a share of formal decisionmaking power. Third, with regard to executive body members, there is the ratheranachronistic dominance of the European continent and also the preponderance ofmale officials. In addition, the general lack of term limits poses serious threats withregard to the concentration of power, which is evidenced for instance by the overallnumber of years SGB presidents are in office. The empirical evidence clearly supportsthe recent calls for improved governance in sport, according to which SGBs need toagree upon, and act in accordance with, a set of well-defined criteria of good governance.Only then will the self-governance of sport be credible and the privilegedautonomy of these organizations justifiable.

This paper continues the conversation from recent articles examining potential remedies available for incorrect decisions by sports officials. In particular, this article focuses on bringing an action against an official in negligence for pure economic loss. Using precedent cases, it determines that such an action would have a low chance of success, as a duty of care would be difficult to establish. Even if that could be overcome, an aggrieved player or team would still face further hurdles at the stages of breach, causation and defences. The article concludes by proposing some options to further reduce the small risk of liability to officials.

Michael Weinstein (left) and George Wallace (right), respectively Chairman and Secretary of the Victorian Soccer Federation, flank Sepp Blatter (then General Secretary of FIFA) and Harry Cavan of Northern Ireland and Vice President of FIFA, during a 1980 planning meeting for the forthcoming World Youth Cup to be hosted by Australia in 1981.

Athletes, coaches and officials milling on the track and field

President Roosevelt tells Irving O. Hunt that the matter he wrote about should be brought to the officials in question. He believes that umpires and referees who do not "go to any necessary extreme" to stop brutality and unfairness in play should be criticized.

Athletes, coaches and officials milling on the track and field

Two officials talking to two athletes on the track

Athletes and officials standing on wooden stairs in the middle of the field

Officials in coats and athletes in sweats standing on the track by the starting blocks

Official writing on a tablet

Man wearing a sweat suit with "Track Club" on it speaking into a microphone

Two men in hats standing next to a fence

Officials measuring a long jump while athletes look on

Close-up view of spectators in the stands and officials milling around on the track in the foreground

Three officials and two athletes standing on the track

Athlete walking on the track in the foreground, official standing in the background

Spectators in the stands and officials milling around on the track in the foreground

Spectators in the stands

Athletes standing in a group on the field with an official in their midst, one is holding the cross bar for a pole vault and another is holding a pole

Officials measuring a long jump

KU official sitting in the stands.

Officials measuring a long jump while athletes look on

Officials in the stands

View from the stands of athletes and officials on the field - one of the athletes is bent over at the waist

An official standing next to a group of athletes: one Denver athlete is holding a trophy, there are two other athletes, then a Minnesota and another Denver athlete in the group

Two officials standing on the field, campus is in the background

View of the stage where the queen and her attendants are seated with the spectators in the background

Official standing on the track with a starting pistol raised in the air

Officials standing on the field, full stands in the background

Official walking on the track carrying trophies

An official holds a trophy while shaking a Denver athlete's hand

Kansas athletes and an official lounging on the field

Athletes 616 and 670 walking on the track toward milling officials and athletes

Group of three men talking in the middle of the field.

Two officials standing by a fence

Officials in the stands

Officials

Officials

Officials huddled under an umbrella next to the landing pad for the high jump and pole vault

Athletes and officials standing under a shelter