Using a natural experiment induced by COVID-19, we test how the sudden absence of fans at football games impacts player performance in Italy. We find that African players, who are most commonly targeted by racial harassment, play better when fans are no longer at the stadium. A similar, albeit weaker, effect is detected among black players. Using official records of racist behaviour by fans, we show that performance improves the most in teams that were subject to abuse before the lockdown. Our evidence suggests that racist pressure can harm discriminated groups and lower the overall quality of the game.

When the Stadium Goes Silent: How Crowds Affect the Performance of Discriminated Groups / Caselli, Mauro; Falco, Paolo; Mattera, Gianpiero. - In: JOURNAL OF LABOR ECONOMICS. - ISSN 0734-306X. - 41:2(2023), pp. 431-451. [10.1086/719967]

When the Stadium Goes Silent: How Crowds Affect the Performance of Discriminated Groups

Caselli, Mauro
Primo
;
2023-01-01

Abstract

Using a natural experiment induced by COVID-19, we test how the sudden absence of fans at football games impacts player performance in Italy. We find that African players, who are most commonly targeted by racial harassment, play better when fans are no longer at the stadium. A similar, albeit weaker, effect is detected among black players. Using official records of racist behaviour by fans, we show that performance improves the most in teams that were subject to abuse before the lockdown. Our evidence suggests that racist pressure can harm discriminated groups and lower the overall quality of the game.
2023
2
Caselli, Mauro; Falco, Paolo; Mattera, Gianpiero
When the Stadium Goes Silent: How Crowds Affect the Performance of Discriminated Groups / Caselli, Mauro; Falco, Paolo; Mattera, Gianpiero. - In: JOURNAL OF LABOR ECONOMICS. - ISSN 0734-306X. - 41:2(2023), pp. 431-451. [10.1086/719967]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11572/334458
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