Work

Rot‐Jaune‐Verde: On linguistic bias of referees in Swiss soccer*

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: We utilize data from 5,010 soccer games in the top two Swiss divisions between the 2005/06 and 2018/19 seasons. In these games, a referee can share the same linguistic area with one of the teams. Using referee‐per‐season fixed effects, we find that referees issue significantly more penalties, in the form of yellow cards, to teams that are not from the referee's linguistic area. We also find some evidence, in the highest level league only, that referees issue more red cards to teams that are not from their linguistic area and that away teams achieve fewer points when home teams share the same linguistic area with the referee. Our analyses suggest that referees' bias is likely to be subconscious and reflexive rather than being a deliberate act of discrimination.

Source: Kyklos

DOI: 10.1111/kykl.12332

Authors: Richard Faltings, Alex Krumer, Michael Lechner

Institutions: The University of Texas at Austin, Molde University College, University of St.Gallen

Language: English

Topic: Sports Analytics and Performance

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450