CIES Soccer Observatory research highlights differing officiating approaches throughout the globe

March 27 – The most recent research from the CIES Soccer Observatory has highlighted main variations in refereeing tendencies throughout the highest 63 leagues worldwide, exposing important contrasts between continents in how officers implement self-discipline.

The info reveals that referees in Japan’s high two divisions are the least prone to situation playing cards for fouls, displaying restraint by awarding only one penalty card for each ten infractions. Head throughout to South America and their counterparts in Chile and Colombia take a far stricter method, brandishing a card for roughly each 5 fouls.

The research suggests these variations should not solely right down to refereeing types but in addition mirror variations in participant behaviour. In Latin America, the place matches are sometimes performed at a excessive depth with frequent bodily challenges, referees are typically extra stringent, making a cycle of more durable play and stricter officiating.

In Asia, notably Japan, soccer is mostly extra disciplined, with fewer reckless challenges leading to a way more measured method from referees, who frankly have an easier time.

The analysis additionally examined the proportion of playing cards awarded particularly for fouls, quite than for dissent or different types of misconduct. In Ukraine’s Premier League, 93.2% of all penalty playing cards are issued for fouls, making it essentially the most foul-focused league on this regard.

In the meantime, in Bolivia’s Primera División (59.2%) and Brazil’s Serie A (60.7%), a far better share of playing cards are proven for off-the-ball incidents, disputes, or unsporting behaviour. Turkey’s high two tiers observe the same sample, with a big variety of playing cards given for non-foul offences.

These findings spotlight the distinct footballing cultures that form officiating throughout totally different areas. Whereas consistency in refereeing stays a dialogue level, the research as an alternative underlines how interpretations of the sport can differ extensively from one league to a different.

Contact the author of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1743093115labto1743093115ofdlr1743093115owedi1743093115sni@g1743093115niwe.1743093115yrrah1743093115