Mental and emotional variables as selection criteria for third-class football referees

Abstract

                                    The research aims to identify the most important mental and emotional variables and their tests as selective criteria for selecting football referees in Iraq. The researcher used the descriptive approach with the survey method as it is the most appropriate approach and the nature of the research problem is that the research community consists of third-class football referees accredited in the Iraqi Central Football Association for the football season 2023-2024, numbering (131) referees. The researcher had to choose a sample from the environment in which the problem was being researched, as the research sample in the main experiment included (100) judges after ensuring the validity of the nominated tests extracted through the procedures on the exploratory sample, which was applied in the period from 9/24/2023 until 9/24/2024, which is the period in which the final practical, theoretical and psychological tests and measurements were conducted on the main sample of the research. After presentation, analysis and discussion, and in light of the results obtained by the researcher, he reached the following conclusions: The individuals in the research sample achieved an (average) level in intelligence tests, while the results of the research sample tests were at the standard level (average) or more, as the number of judges was (61), while the number of judges was (39) below the (average) level. The tests of the aspects of attention represented by the tests of (intensity, concentration, distribution and conversion) The results were achieved below the (average) level, and this is an indication of the weakness of the sample. Based on the above conclusions, the researcher recommends the necessity of cooperation between the Iraqi Central Football Association and professors specializing in sports psychology in opening special courses for psychological preparation. It is necessary to emphasize the availability of psychological security and protection for football referees before, during and after the match.