Emotional Analysis of First Division Football Referees in Burkina Faso during Matches

Abstract

Introduction: First division (D1) referees in Burkina Faso suffer emotional violence when refereeing football matches.

Objective: The aim was to analyse the emotions felt by these referees during D1 national championship matches.

Method: The survey was conducted by interviewing 30 first division football referees. The content analysis method was used to analyse the data.

Results: Insults, threats and physical assaults are situations of violence experienced by D1 referees in Burkina Faso. Fear, anger and sadness were the negative emotions most frequently experienced.

Discussion: This study made it possible to describe situations of violence and to identify the negative emotions felt by these D1 referees.

Conclusion: As a determinant of sporting performance, it seems imperative to include emotion management in referee training in Burkina Faso.