Identifying the Factors Affecting the Management of Football Fans’ Emotions

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and prioritize the factors affecting the management of football fans’ emotions, with emphasis on enjoyment, affection, positive surprise, and dissatisfaction. This applied study employed a descriptive, survey-based, and field research design. The statistical population consisted of managers, board members, and experts of sports clubs, as well as heads and members of supporter associations affiliated with Iranian Premier League football clubs. A total of 137 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a 26-item researcher-developed questionnaire comprising four dimensions: enjoyment, affection, positive surprise, and dissatisfaction. Convergent validity was assessed using average variance extracted and composite reliability, while internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha. Data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin index, Bartlett’s test of sphericity, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and the Friedman test. KMO values for enjoyment, affection, positive surprise, and dissatisfaction were 0.832, 0.797, 0.791, and 0.795, respectively, and Bartlett’s test was statistically significant for all dimensions. All 26 items had factor loadings above 0.50, supporting the four-factor structure of the instrument. The Friedman test revealed a statistically significant difference among the four dimensions (test statistic=121.23, p=0.01). Enjoyment ranked first with a mean of 4.39, followed by affection with a mean of 4.15, positive surprise with a mean of 4.03, and dissatisfaction with a mean of 3.76. The findings indicate that football fan emotion management is a multidimensional process, and clubs should develop integrated strategies that prioritize enjoyment, strengthen affection, create positive surprise, and effectively manage dissatisfaction to build stronger and more sustainable relationships with supporters.