Perceptions of integrity in sport: insights into people’s relationship with sport

Abstract

Supported by a wealth of research, current UK Government policy emphasises the important role of sport in delivering social outcomes. What is not considered in the current policy and academia are the logically plausible adverse associations that would follow when sport is shown to lack integrity, an increasing phenomenon nowadays. If sport is found to lack integrity, then does this alter people's perceptions and their relationship with it? In this study,we aim to answer this question by examining people's views on the lack of integrity in sport and their propensity to participate, volunteer and spectate sport in the UK context. Data collected through 18 focus groups reveal a perceived 'normalisation' of the lack of integrity in sport and an overall belief that sport cannot manage its integrity. The findings suggest that paradoxically, even though sport is viewed as untrustworthy, people's propensity to participate, spectate and volunteer in sport remains unchanged. Consequently, even though sport is viewed as corrupt and unable to improve, its perceived role as a mechanism for social outcomes appears to remain unaffected, creating a potentially vicious circle in which sport has little to no pressing urgency or strong motivation to protect its integrity.

A Scoping Review of the Causes and Consequences of Fraud in Sport

“…This might mitigate the negative effects of other types of breaches to the integrity of sport, when these do not directly affect fans’ experience of sport. In fact, fans seem be willing to continue their engagement in and with sport, despite their perception that fraud is the norm in this context (Manoli et al, 2020). Fans’ psychological bond with their sport could therefore be described as highly resilient (Lamberti & Hyatt, 2018).…”

“…Manoli et al (2020), for instance, have organized focus groups in the United Kingdom asking participants to discuss their perception of the integrity of sport, and their current willingness to engage with sport. Their results show that even though participants perceive sport's lack of integrity to be normalized, they are still prepared to spectate, participate in, and volunteer at sport events (Manoli et al, 2020). These findings seem to contradict one of the most widely used definitions of corruption in sport.…”

The grey zone between tactics and manipulation: The normalization of match-fixing in road cycling

“…These criteriums' results are often predetermined by criterium organizers, cyclists and/or sponsors, but they attract thousands of fans each year (Cyclingnews, 2019a). This observation can be explained by the fact that spectators prioritize the positive social outcomes of the sport, thereby accepting the lack of integrity (Manoli et al, 2020).…”

Challenges to the role of media in reporting sport corruption: Insights from reporters in Balkan countries

“…Even though corruption in sport has been quite topical in recent years, with various manifestations being reported, the general consensus is that corruption in sport is an area that has historically been researched less than corruption in general (Manoli et al, 2020). Most modern research has focused on causes and consequences of corruption, providing a very broad scope of analysis, but some has also focused on specific cases and examples (Hill, 2010;Mazanov et al, 2012;Numerato, 2015;Spapens and Olfers, 2015).…”