Measuring the aggressive behavior of the teams in the Iraqi Premier League in football and its relation to the results and ranking of the league for the 2022-2023 season

Abstract

The game of football is one of the games that carries within it a highly competitive nature, and it is not surprising that aggressive behavior often appears on the field due to the intensity of the competition. Aggression in football takes many forms, from tough interventions and rough play to verbal confrontations and unsportsmanlike behavior. The research aims to identify the aggressive behavior of players in the Iraqi Premier League for the season (2022-2023) and its relationship to the league’s results and ranking. The research sample consisted of (400) players representing (20) clubs participating in the Iraqi Premier League for the season (2022-2023), and a descriptive survey method was used. For the purpose of research tools, the researchers used the Aggression Behavior Scale developed by (Amer Saeed, 2002). For statistical data analysis, the statistical package (SPSS) was used. The research results showed a correlation between (hatred, aggression, verbal aggression, rejection) and the results and ranking of the research sample. It also showed no statistically significant correlation between (excitability, doubt, indirect aggression) and the results and ranking of the research sample. The researchers concluded that aggressive behavior is related to the results and ranking of the clubs, and that the requirements of the game of football play a major role in the emergence of aggressive behavior. Therefore, the researchers recommend the necessity of focusing on the psychological preparation of the clubs and incorporating it into daily training programs, as well as educating coaches and players through holding awareness-raising lectures on sportsmanship and fair play during sports competitions.