Vargas, Maria Luisa Fernanda Pereira, Webb, Tom, Gorczynski, Paul ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8876-8935, O’Keefe, Laura K. and Hancock, David (2026) Non-accidental violence toward sport officials: a scoping review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 8:1765769. pp. 1-12. ISSN 2624-9367 (Online) (doi:10.3389/fspor.2026.1765769)

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Abstract

There is yet to be a focused review and synthesis on non-accidental violence toward sport officials despite a surge in academic inquiry into the topic over the last 25 years. As such, the aim of this review is to synthesize what is known about non-accidental violence toward sport officials. Articles were selected in March 2025. 32 articles were included in this scoping review with 13 countries and 7 sports represented. 43.7% of studies used qualitative methods, and only 4.1% of the total sample were women officials. Sport officials frequently experienced non-accidental violence, in particular verbal abuse from athletes, coaches, and spectators; organizations were identified as key contributors to the continuation of the problem. Non-accidental violence had serious consequences for sport officials including depression and attrition, particularly for those with limited organizational and/or social support. We recommend future researchers prioritize vulnerable and marginalized sport officiating groups and diversify methodological choices through employing in-depth qualitative methods, using robust demographic questionnaires, and expanding research questions.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	abuse, judges, referees, synthesis, umpires
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	01 May 2026 15:09
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/53309

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