Visible tattoos among referees in four European football leagues during the 2021–2022 season

According to recent studies, approximately a third of elite football players have visible tattoos on the field.1-4 The question whether would reflect dominance, extroversion, aggressiveness and willingness take risks thereby translate into notable behaviour patterns field success is debated.1-5 Tattoos might be associated with individual performance or discipline,3, 4 but impact overall team outcomes unclear.3, 6 result fine combination personal skills, teamwork, opportunities chance. referee major actor that must considered. In this brief study, we reviewed prevalence among referees in four European leagues during 2021–2022 season, namely, La Ligue 1 (France), Liga (Spain), Premier League (England) Serie A (Italy). Referees' name, age statistics were extracted from two websites (https://fr.whoscored.com https://www.mondefootball.fr). (location, colours) using Getty Images website, same methodology as our previous studies.1-3 For tattoos, only ‘visible’ accounted for. ‘Visible’ arbitrarily defined those which could seen official games trainings. They either located: (i) head neck, (ii) upper limbs, down t-shirt sleeve at midpoint arm fingers (iii) lower limbs shorts socks. Inc. an American stock photo agency supply images for business consumers archive 80 million still illustrations. We used following keywords website's search bar: ‘Referee's full name surname + league 2021 (or 2022)’. referee, one over hundred pictures found. total 112 reviewed, three excluded because lack available pictures. Among 109 remaining, 108 male (99.1%): forty-two Italy (39%, median 38.5 years), 25 France (23%, 39 20 Spain (18%, 40 22 England (20%, 42.5 years). Only displayed their (1.8%), League. Both had very discrete hard spot: wrist hidden by wristwatch, whose tip noted was edge tee-shirt. Tattoo design not identified. With such low number, did perform further analysis referees' statistics. series exceedingly homogenous between countries. Limitations study include collected. Referees may body (chest, back, shoulders, groins feet). missed small tattoos. Besides, some keep long sleeves large bands all time. Therefore, most likely higher. However, results are interest. studies players, about 34%–36% international1 national competitions.3 There apparent dichotomy tattooed bare-skinned referees. has been designed address reasons difference. online survey structured interviews answer discrepancy. At stage, can speculate underlying reasons. Age considered factor older than players.1, 3 they mainly born end 1970s beginning 1980s therefore belong generation embraced trend tattooing.7, 8 sense discipline respect rules drive reluctance distance avoiding embracing fashion trends. also bound image discipline: time dressed black. Lastly, arbitration bodies allow reach top-class levels unconsciously not) accept rather without It known external factors influence decisions, illustrated effect matches played spectators coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).9 Due referees, being affect decisions field. Next work should now analyse sanctions case fault. author took fully part conception work, acquisition, analysis, interpretation data drafted manuscript its final version; he accountable aspects ensuring questions related accuracy integrity any appropriately investigated resolved. Dr. Nicolas Kluger received fees Bioderma NAOS.