Football and Communication: Influence and Fans, Referee, Players and Coaches Perceptions

Abstract

Football is more than a game where communication plays a very central role. In order to understand the influence of the communication from the clubs and the different stakeholders on referees, players and coaches versus the perception of the fans, we used a qualitative and quantitative approach, starting with a literature review, followed by a documental analysis and the application of four online questionnaires to fans, referees, players and coaches, as data collection tools. Data were processed and analysed through floating readings of press articles and statistical analysis of the questionnaires. It is concluded that communication influences the protagonists of the football phenomenon, and it is not possible, however, to determine in what sense this influence manifests itself. It is also verified that the perceptions of the supporters differ in terms of the influence they attribute to communication compared to the one that the referees, players and coaches themselves have on them.