"REFEREEING STANDARDS AND THEIR ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL IN SIERRA LEONE"

Abstract

**Objective:** This study sought to explore how standards of officiating have affected the growth and development of professional football in Sierra Leone from the perspective of stakeholders in relation to multi-dimensions of officiating standards.

**Design:** A quantitative, descriptive exploratory survey was utilized to assess the standards of officiating and their contribution towards football development in the Sierra Leone Premier League. Subjects: Five hundred representatives from key football stakeholder groups were strategically selected from 18 premier league clubs through stratified random sampling. The groups included players, coaches, club executives, match officials, supporters, and the media.

**Methods:** Data was collected by utilizing a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire designed by the researcher. The questionnaire consisted of five thematic differences: knowledge of the Laws of the Game, physical fitness, integrity and fairness, communication and match control, as well as the influence of officiating on football development. Frequencies were used to summarize participants’ responses and t-test and ANOVA statistical analyses was used to assess for significant differences between stakeholder groups.