Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/302165 
Year of Publication: 
2024
Series/Report no.: 
Working Paper No. 2406
Publisher: 
Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Department of Economics, Linz
Abstract: 
We analyse evaluation biases caused by physical attributes. Using data from German elite soccer, we find that referees are more inclined to sanction players when the difference in body size is sufficiently large. Moreover, we document an 'inverse Napoleon effect' in situations when the referee is confronted with smaller players, suggesting that sanctions are used as a substitute for authority gained by stature in the industry. Further analyses reveal that referees discriminate less against more talented players and teams with a higher concentration of these players. Finally, we find that the bias is reduced but still exists for the group of more experienced referees.
Subjects: 
evaluation
discrimination
social dominance
referee bias
soccer
JEL: 
J71
L83
Z20
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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