The influence of stress and emotions on association football referees’ decision-making

Abstract

Grounded in Lazarus’ (1999) Cognitive Motivational Relational Theory of Emotions and informed by Courneya and Carron’s (1992) Game Location Framework, this study examined the influence of stress and emotions on the decision-making of UK association football referees who were refereeing at different competitive levels. Through the use of interviews, it was found that stressors emanating from the crowd, previous mistakes, confrontation, players with bad reputations, and assessors evaluating referee performance was associated with threat or harm stress appraisals. These appraisals were associated with negative emotions that, when not managed, influenced poor perceived decision-making. In particular, the amateur referees reported situations where they were not able to cope with the stress and negative emotions experienced, and displayed either counter-attacking decision-making through giving decisions against the offending player, coach or team, or incorrect decisions due to a lack of focus caused by anxiety. In comparison, professional referees demonstrated problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies that promoted better decision-making. Implications for referee development are provided, as are recommendations for future research.