Reflections of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) System in Turkish Football: Opinions of Şırnak Youth and Sports Personnel

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the attitudes of the personnel working at the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports in Şırnak towards the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in Turkish football. The research was conducted using a quantitative approach within a descriptive research model. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 222 personnel, including 86 females and 136 males, working in different positions. As data collection tools, a demographic information form developed by the researchers and the “Attitude Scale Towards the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) System in Turkish Football” developed by Kayhan et al. (2020) were used. The scale consists of four sub-dimensions: enjoyment, fairness, continuity, and knowledge level. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25, and independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied. The findings revealed that participants’ attitudes towards the VAR system showed statistically significant differences across certain sub-dimensions based on demographic and behavioral variables. Significant differences were particularly observed in the sub-dimensions of fairness and knowledge level according to variables such as gender, age, and marital status. In contrast, differences in the enjoyment sub-dimension were generally limited. In conclusion, the VAR system is not only a technical application but is also perceived differently depending on individuals’ knowledge levels, demographic characteristics, and interest in sports. Accordingly, it is recommended to increase awareness and provide more information to stakeholders in order to enhance the effectiveness and acceptance of the VAR system.

Keywords

• referee decisions
• sports management
• VAR
• football
• attitude

TÜRK FUTBOLUNDA VİDEO YARDIMCI HAKEM (VAR) SİSTEMİNİN YANSIMALARI: ŞIRNAK GENÇLİK VE SPOR PERSONELİ GÖRÜŞLERİ

Abstract

Bu araştırmanın amacı, Şırnak Gençlik ve Spor İl Müdürlüğünde görev yapan personelin Türk futbolunda Video Yardımcı Hakem (VAR) sistemine yönelik tutumlarının belirlenmesidir. Araştırma nicel araştırma yöntemi kapsamında betimsel modelde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmanın örneklemini, farklı statülerde görev yapan 86’sı kadın ve 136’sı erkek olmak üzere toplam 222 personel oluşturmaktadır. Veri toplama aracı olarak araştırmacılar tarafından hazırlanan demografik bilgi formu ile Kayhan ve arkadaşları (2020) tarafından geliştirilen “Türk Futbolunda Video Yardımcı Hakem (VAR) Uygulamasına Yönelik Tutum Ölçeği” kullanılmıştır. Ölçek; seyir zevki, adaleti sağlama, devamlılık ve bilgi sahipliği olmak üzere dört alt boyuttan oluşmaktadır. Elde edilen verilerin analizinde IBM SPSS Statistics 25 paket programı kullanılmış; bağımsız örneklemler t-testi ve tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) uygulanmıştır. Araştırma bulgularına göre, katılımcıların VAR sistemine yönelik tutumlarının bazı alt boyutlarda demografik ve davranışsal değişkenlere göre anlamlı farklılık gösterdiği belirlenmiştir. Özellikle adaleti sağlama ve bilgi sahipliği alt boyutlarında cinsiyet, yaş ve medeni durum gibi değişkenlere bağlı olarak anlamlı farklılıklar tespit edilmiştir. Buna karşın seyir zevki alt boyutunda genel olarak anlamlı farklılıkların sınırlı olduğu görülmüştür. Sonuç olarak, VAR sisteminin yalnızca teknik bir uygulama olmadığı; bireylerin bilgi düzeyi, demografik özellikleri ve spora olan ilgileri doğrultusunda farklı şekillerde algılandığı ortaya konmuştur. Bu doğrultuda, VAR sisteminin daha etkin ve kabul edilebilir bir şekilde uygulanabilmesi için paydaşların bilgilendirilmesi ve farkındalıklarının artırılması önerilmektedir.

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