Examining the influence of skin tone on playing position in the Premier and English Football Leagues

Abstract

Within the present manuscript we explore the role of skin tone on playing position within English football's top four professional leagues. Player data (N = 4,515) was collected across five seasons (2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015). Results indicate that in general, darker skin toned players are more likely to operate within peripheral rather than central positions. Using both one and two-way ANOVAs, results suggest significant differences between skin tone and individual playing positions. Between league differences were, however, non-significant. Although darker skin toned players are still more likely to occupy peripheral positions, the situation is more nuanced than first thought. Instead of segregating players by central versus peripheral roles, it appears that darker skin toned players occupy positions associated with athleticism. In contrast, lighter skin toned players appear to fulfill roles requiring organization and communication skills.

Values Based Coaching and the Coaches Role in Moral Development

“…Honesty, trustworthiness, and fairness should be the norm rather than the exception when coaching (Shields & Bredemeier, 1995). Coaches who place 'me' above 'we' are likely to be viewed skeptically by their participants, who may assign negative attributions based on the social information self-aggrandizing conveys (Mills & Boardley, 2019). Ultimately, participants will use this social information to make inferences around the coach's motive and character (Mills & Boardley, 2017b).…”

“…Should the coach and athlete share similar DOI: 10.31236/osf.io/rbyqg Please help us to keep SportRχiv free by donating to www.storkinesiology.org/annual motivation for moral excellence, they may begin working together to co-construct a moral atmosphere. If not, either the coach, athlete or both may seek to re-align their moral self-concept to find a shared position or one or both may wish to leave the group (Mills & Boardley, 2019).…”