Referee bias and its impact on low fans attendance at stadiums: Standpoints from Ghana

Abstract

This study delved into referee bias in football matches with the aim of determining its impact on fans attendance. The study reviewed relevant literature on referee bias and discovered that in most cases, related works dwelt on existence of referee bias and its impact on match outcomes using time added on, yellow and red cards. This work adopted a quantitative approach and collected relevant data from 100 participants drawn from football parks and stadiums during football activities. Data was analyzed and represented in diagrams with further analysis conducted using odds-ratio test of Chi-squared tests, Likelihood Ratio and Linear – by- linear Association statistical independence to determine linkages between referee bias on match outcomes and low fan attendance. We found that football fans believe referee bias is widespread in Ghana and referees professionalism leaves much to be desired. We recommend that referees should be trained and retrained to improve their professional judgment ant their reward system should be improved to fortify that against inducements fro club officials.